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A collection of news about the wider OF Family. We rely entirely on people like you for these entries. If you’re logged in, you can post directly to the relevant section. If you aren’t, and even if you aren’t an OF, you can go to Contact Us (top of your screen) and complete a form to send us your news.

Deaths

Keith John Maunder (K58-62)

  • When
    27 January 2024
  • Where
    Suffolk
  • Age
    79

Keith died on 27 January 2024 at the age of 79.  His funeral is at Henstead Pavilion, The Old Rectory, Hulver Road, Beccles, Suffolk, NR35 7LA at 2.30pm on 15 March 2024.

Deaths

Edward Fox (G46-52)

  • When
    1 February 2024
  • Where
    Suffolk
  • Age
    88

Norman Mayhew has advised us that Edward sadly passed away on 1 February 2024.  Ted Fox and George Gooderham married the sisters of Clive Cooksey (K54-61). No more information at this stage on funeral.

Edward appears to have run Primrose Hill Farm Boarding Kennels & Catteries at Hemingstone, Suffolk.

Deaths

Michael John Rowland Evans (S45-48)

  • When
    12 November 2023
  • Where
    Palma, Majorca
  • Age
    92
Michael passed away peacefully at home in Palma, Majorca on the 12th November 2023 at the age of 92.  His close friends were with him, and he had just returned from a trip to London for his daughter’s birthday and was planning a return visit for Christmas.
His daughter says “He was immensely proud of his time at Framlingham, and often told us many stories of his schooldays with great fondness and a twinkle in his eye, and I know he would like me to let you know. I am sorry about the delay in getting this news to you. As I am sure you will understand it was a great shock to us at the time. Michael continued his friendship with Ian Sanderson Foster K46-53 in Majorca, and I spoke with Tessa when I called to let Ian know after Michaels passing to discover sadly how ill Ian was at that time. “
The photo was taken on his 92nd birthday in Norfolk.

Deaths

Rt Revd George Edward David Pytches (K44-48)

The Rt Revd George Edward David Pytches died on 21 November, aged 92. He is survived by Mary, to whom he was married for 65 years, their four daughters, and their families.

Deaths

Dr John Graham Rankin (K47-56)

  • When
    8 December 2023
  • Where
    Essex
  • Age
    86

Norman Mayhew (R48-56) reports “We met John and his friend Gwen, for lunch in Harwich on 29th November 2023. Gwen is the elder sister of Roy Farman (K47-55) who died in New Zealand a year ago. We had a very convivial lunch and John was in good form and seemingly good health. He was taken ill the following Thursday and died the next day Friday 8th December.  His son-in-law, Gary Bridges emailed me the next day with the sad news.”

He was a Vice-President of the Society and past organiser of the Essex OF Supper.

His funeral will be held on Friday 12th January at All Saints Church Dovercourt CO12 4LN at Midday.

Deaths

Barry Lorkin (S54-57)

  • When
    4 December 2023
  • Where
    Dorking, Surrey
  • Age
    83

Barry was a great servant of the Society and in particular the OF Golf Society where was Secretary from 1986 till 2006.  He was also a past President of the Society from 1995-97.

We will add details of his funeral when known.

Deaths

Bruce E Micklewright (S55-59)

  • When
    8 December 2023
  • Where
    Wimborne, Dorset
  • Age
    89

His brother Colin (S55-59) said “We have just returned from Wimborne in Dorset where, sadly, Bruce died on Friday evening 8th December aged 89.  He had been suffering poor health ever since he caught Covid in January 2020 in Mougins near Nice where he had been living for a number of years.  Bruce’s wife, Harriett is still going strong.  They came back to England about eighteen months ago to be close to two of the children.”

Some years ago Bruce had a chance meeting with distinguished OF Bill Goldfinch (26-32) at Old Sarum Flying Club. Bruce had spent many years as a Cathay Pacific pilot after being in the Royal Canadian Air Force and when he retired he restored a Tiger Moth and finished it in the Framlingham colours of chocolate and blue. This was spotted by Bill at the airfield and the pair became firm friends in the seven years before Bill died.

Bruce went on to say “I spent my career in aviation and on my retirement restored a Tiger Moth and finished it with light blue wings, chocolate brown fuselage with white registration lettering. I considered registering it as G-FRAM and flying it over the school on the Millennium, however, I missed the date to complete the restoration and I subsequently registered it as G-EMSY, my daughter’s pet name.  Shortly after the completion of the rebuild, I moved the aircraft to Old Sarum near Salisbury and one day this elderly gentleman approached me in the hangar and said “I believe you own this lovely aeroplane and I am intrigued whether you had any particular reason for choosing chocolate and light blue as a colour scheme?” When I told him they were my old school colours he replied “Not by any chance, Framlingham?” On confirming that they were, he replied “How wonderful, I also went to Framlingham”.  We spent many hours reminiscing about Framlingham, our service careers, aviation and of course Colditz. His attitude to the time that he spent in Colditz was one of privileged confinement! He loved the castle and said his fellow prisoners were the most marvellous collection of intelligent and inspiring men from throughout the Commonwealth and the USA. He was also quite fair to his captors. Bill was a charming, unassuming, delightful man. He died in his sleep, fit and well to the last.”

 

Deaths

Colin Hugh Rigby (R43-45)

  • When
    27 March 2021
  • Where
    Nottingham
  • Age
    91
  • Story

His daughter said in December 2023 “Mr Colin Rigby passed away in 2021 and I noticed he had a few past copies of material from Framlingham College, and thought we should a) inform you he had passed and b) write something.  However, life got in the way and as Colin cared for Diana his wife, it was that we focused on after sorting out bank accounts.”

His daughter Angela has now sent through an obituary with additional photos.

Births

Pitcher (nee Castle)

  • When
    30 October 2022
  • Parents
    Olivia Pitcher, née Castle (M06-11) and William Pitcher (R10-11)

Olivia Pitcher, née Castle (M06-11) and William Pitcher (R10-11) welcomed the arrival of their baby daughter Elodie Jemima Pitcher on the 30th of October 2022. Her Christening was held in the College Chapel on the 11th of June 2023 and was officiated by William’s father Rev Canon Simon Pitcher (Z76-82). A number of Old Framlinghamians were present for the service, including Elodie’s Great Grandpa Rev Canon David Pitcher (R44-51).

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