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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
Christopher Eamonn Core (S73-78)
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WhenW/C 26 June 2023
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WhereBraintree, Essex
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Age63
Christopher Eamonn Core (S73-78) – he passed away w/c 26 June 2023 aged 51 years. His daughter (Zoe M08-11) attended the College as well. His son Tom went to Uppingham.
Gary Duce (K71-79) provided the following biography : He studied geology and worked in the oil industry for many years on oil exploration visiting many interesting countries. On retiring from that work, he opened a model shop in Colchester as he was a very good model maker and had many dioramas for himself and made to order for others. Then in later life his eyesight deteriorated due to his Diabetes so he could not drive but helped out at the local Air Cadet Group in Braintree along with his faithful companion Baxter his dog. He joined the OF Lodge in January 1993, was our Master in 2000 and again in 2011, he obtained provincial rank in first in 2007 then promotions in 2015 and in 2022 to the rank of Past Provincial Sword Bearer. Chris always helped out when he could and was inspiring to some of our newer members. He will be sorely missed.
Deaths
John David Ingate (R53-58)
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When17 June 2023
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WhereHalesworth, Suffolk
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Age80
John David Ingate (R53-58) – he passed away 17 June 2023 aged 80 years. The funeral service is on Saturday 1st July at St Margaret of Antioch Church, Linstead Parva, Halesworth at 11am. Family flowers only please or donations to Halesworth Volunteer Centre.
Deaths
William Frederick Gordon Shaw (K67-72)
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When26 April 2023
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Age69
William Frederick Gordon Shaw (K67-72), son of Colonel George William Shaw, passed peacefully away on 26th April 2023, aged 69. William (Bill) was a former Crown servant (1972 to 1984) and Local Authority Officer (1985 to 2010). He played rugby for Esher/Fylde and Sidcup and was Hon. Secretary of Sidcup Rugby Club, 1985 to 1987.
His wife, Suzanne, has some photos of him in cricket and rugby teams where, helpfully, he had also noted the names of his teammates. He was in Kerrison House, and the photos are
dated 1969 and 1970.
Bill was born in Devizes, Wiltshire in 1953 to parents, George and Sybil Shaw.
Sybil was a trained physiotherapist and George was an officer in the army. This meant that he was posted at various locations around the world and Bill became what is known colloquially as an army brat, moving with the family. They lived in Hong Kong from 1955 to 1958 then moved back to the UK to Devizes, then on to New Eltham, moving again to Salisbury in 1961.
Bill’s sister Jo was born in 1962 and the family then relocated to Glasgow where Bill’s schooling showed a deterioration. His parents took the decision to move him to a boarding prep school at Sompting Abbots in West Sussex where apparently, he thrived. Later I believe, when he was 13, he was transferred to Framlingham College as a boarder. Bill told me many stories about Framlingham as they still had ‘fagging’ which included cleaning older boys’ studies, warming up a toilet seat for seniors, or serving food to the top table. He likened it to the film ‘IF’ which we watched together in later life. He was quite sporty, being an excellent swimmer, and he played in the rugby and cricket teams. Rugby would play a major part in his life in later years. He became a prefect in the senior year, but fagging had been abolished when a new headmaster was appointed with more modern ideas.
When Bill left the College, he worked for an insurance company in Bristol and had a couple of runouts for the Bristol U21s rugby team. It did not take him long to realise that he had made a mistake in his career, and he applied to work for the Crown Agents where he enjoyed his work enormously. At some stage he lived in a shared house in West Drayton, mostly with air stewardesses, one of whom he had a crush on, as he admitted to me. However, this lady went on to have a relationship with a Concorde pilot and Bill could not compete with that. His loss was my gain.
Later, the government of the day reduced the responsibilities of the Crown Agents and Bill found himself unemployed. To his enormous credit he went on a Transport Management course in Blackpool for around six months and passed with flying colours. Not bad for a man who had never learned to drive. I was enormously grateful for his knowledge, as I am known to have no sense of direction, even holding a map upside-down once which seemed to amuse him greatly. Whilst in Blackpool he played for Fylde Rugby club and remained a member for several seasons. He had a few hobbies in philately, aircraft and archaeology; and was a member of the British Museum. Several of our holidays had an archaeological theme, including a memorable visit to Syria just a week before it became a war zone!
In 1976 disaster struck: His dad, George, passed away and Bill went to live with his mum for comfort and support. During this period, he was working for Tower Hamlets Council who decided to ‘rationalise’ their transport section, and Bill found himself in a different position, working as a manager in street management. This job did not give him the same satisfaction, but he had his many rugby matches with Sidcup RFC to compensate. In 1997 he had just given up rugby after being advised by his GP that one more injury to his foot would cause serious problems. Similarly, I had just given up serious club running owing to knee issues. I had not been in a relationship for some time so put out an advertisement (before the internet) and Bill responded, not until after I had met a few frogs! From then on life was happy, wonderful and fun again with this magnificent man. I will love him forever, and now that he has gone there is a black hole where my heart once was. Bless you Bill.
My husband William Frederick Gordon Shaw, son of Colonel George
William Shaw, passed peacefully on 26th April aged 69. This photo was taken on our wedding day 5th September 2009. Suzanne Shaw.
Deaths
Benjamin Robin Barringer (G56-61)
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When12 May 2023
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WhereSpain
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Age80
Benjamin Robin Barringer (G56-61) died on 12th May 2023, aged 80 in Spain. We were notified by his younger brother Bill (G61-65).
Deaths
Frank Whewell Eyre (S46-53)
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When15 April 2022
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WhereMontreal, Canada
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Age86
Frank Whewell Eyre (S46-53) passed away calmly in palliative care on 15 April 2022, having lived a full life. Frank was born in 1935 and grew up in Framlingham, England. After graduating from Imperial College in engineering he came to Canada in 1958. He pursued further degrees even while a single parent. He was described as “a first-rate engineer, easy going and with a sense of humour.” He led projects around the world as well as across Canada, including varied contributions ranging from a blood fractionation plant to industrial facilities to aircraft safety. Frank was passionate about sailing and loved nothing more than being out with friends on Lac St Louis. He is survived by his beloved wife Jeannine, his sister Philippa (brother-in-law Tony and niece Jennie), his son Marcus and Diane, and his grandsons he was so proud of, Gareth and Findlay. Donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or other charity of your choice. Private scatterings of Frank’s ashes will be held at future dates and locations. In lieu of ceremony, go enjoy a coffee, have an ice cream, take a walk in the woods, look at boats, or watch planes at an airport. These are what Frank would love sharing with you.
Deaths
Alexander William Hicks (S52-55)
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When18 April 2023
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WhereBury St Edmomds, Suffolk
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Age85
Alexander William Hicks (S52-55) died on 18 April 2023. His funeral was held and his life celebrated at Bury St. Edmunds Crematorium on 24 May 2023.
Andrew Moore writes: “Andrew lived for the last 15 years of his life in Bury St. Edmunds and had been unwell for a number of years. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant to Norman Green and Co. in Sudbury where he lived as a young man with his parents in Great Cornard. After qualifying, he held a number of positions in industry including that of Finance Director of Fairey Aviation in Brussels in the 1970s. Alex never married but was an excellent godfather to many, including my younger son, Guy.”
Deaths
John Kerr MBE JP DL (G53-56)
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When15 March 2023
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WhereIspwich, Suffolk
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Age83
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Story
John Kerr MBE JP DL (G53-56) died on 15th March 2023, aged 83.
Readers will probably be fully aware that Framlingham College was set up by Royal Charter in the mid-19th century, in memory of Prince Albert, to educate the sons of Suffolk and to start them on their paths through life. There can be few students at the College who have paid back so fulsomely what the College offers by way of giving such a foundation to a Suffolk life. John exemplified what the founders must have had in mind. Many tributes have been paid, in many places, to all that he contributed to the county of Suffolk and beyond, but we can take particular pride in John’s early years spent at the College, in the values that he learnt there, and in the affection that he retained for his old school.
John’s business acumen, combined with integrity and approachability, meant that he was much in demand, and this led to a wide range of leadership and representative appointments. A farmer with vision, he was an active member of the Suffolk Agricultural Society and was President of the Suffolk Show in the year when the Duke of Gloucester was the guest of honour. He served for three years in the 1980s as Show Director, a rapid rise for one who had started off as assistant car park attendant. In 1983, the second of John’s three years as Director, the renowned show jumper, Caroline Bradley having completed her round, got off her horse, collapsed and died. John had to handle the press pack, which included Terry Hunt who was covering the event for the EADT. This he did, in Terry’s words, “with great professionalism and compassion”. It was the first time Terry had met John, and this was the beginning of a friendship with John and the family which was to last for over 40 years. Two Old Framlinghamians serving their county in different ways.
John was a farmer to the core and a shrewd one. He adopted modern farming practices, and, from small beginnings, built up what can be described as a very successful farming empire. He was at Framlingham in the days when the largest College society was the Young Farmers’ Club, and when a special day’s holiday was granted to allow students to attend the Suffolk Show. There was no summer half-term holiday in those days!
Away from farming, John was Chairman of Ipswich Town Football Club from 1991 to 1995 and remained on the board until 2006. His contribution to the club was marked by a minute’s applause from a large crowd before kick-off in the match against Shrewsbury on March 18th. He was the first non-Cobbold Chairman but the fact that he farmed close to the Cobbold seat at Glemham Hall must have meant that his talents and potential had been well known locally. Evidence of this business talent was the setting up by the family of Easton Farm Park, opening up and displaying the practices of farming to thousands of visiting families. He was Chairman of both the Framlingham and Woodbridge Horse Shows and served as Deputy Lord Lieutenant and Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, High Sheriff of Suffolk and Chairman of The Farmers’ Club in London. He also took on more local roles as Chairman of the Easton Parish Council, Governor of Woodbridge School, and Chairman of Woodbridge Bench of Magistrates. He was for several years, almost inevitably, on the Board of Governors of his old school, Framlingham College. John’s MBE was for services to agriculture, and he was also awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of Essex in 2002. John left Framlingham at the age of 16 to move on into agriculture via Writtle Agricultural College. His prowess as a rugby player, with 16 years at Diss Rugby Club, should not be overlooked.
John’s memorial service was held at Easton Grange, another facility developed by the Kerr family. The attendance, testimony to the wide reach of John’s involvement, was not far short of 1000 people, far too many for the small village church of Letheringham where John had been baptised, and testimony to the number of lives that John had touched. The service was relayed across the venue on special screens, with Rev Robin Alderton officiating and Laura Wright (OF) contributing vocally. John’s four children, Laura, Bruce, Fiona and Alastair all contributed to a wonderful eulogy, one which made it clear that, for all the achievements mentioned above, John’s life was deeply rooted in his family, his wife Jill, the four children and eight grandchildren. John was a pillar of strength to that family, as to the county of Suffolk. His life is one to be celebrated, not least by those who knew John, beyond all his other roles, simply as an Old Framlinghamian, one whose life and commitment to his county had been shaped by his early years at the College.
Norman Porter – with due acknowledgement to Terry Hunt, former editor of the EADT, whose tribute to John appeared in the paper on March 17th, 2023 Click here
Deaths
Kenneth William Foxhall Painter (K39-45)
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When27 February 2022
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WherePort Dover, Ontario, Canada
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Age94
Kenneth William Foxhall Painter (K39-45) – Ken passed away peacefully at his home in Port Dover on Sunday, February 27, 2022 in his 95th year. Ken was predeceased by his beloved wife Georgia (Morris) in 2018, and was the devoted father of Keith Painter of Port Dover, Miriam and David Woods of Simcoe, and Elizabeth and Doug Schuyler of Port Dover. Proud grandfather of Michelle Woods, Georgia Schuyler and Samantha Schuyler (fiancé Justin Cridland).
Predeceased by his parents William and Hilda Painter, elder sister Joan Painter, twin sister Jill Gotham and brother-in-law Victor. Survived by nephews Peter Gotham, Paul Gotham, niece Ann Gotham, and their families all in England. Survived by sister-in-law Ione Morris. Predeceased bybrothers- and sisters-in-law Archie and Georgina Morris; Stan Morris; Rosemary and Clarence Mitchell. “Uncle Ken” to late Sam, George and Donna, late David, Joel and Sandra; Paul and Jamie, Michelle and Scott, Ian and Lenie; Rosalee and Ron, Martha and Kevin, Charles, Louise and Terry; and several great-nieces and nephews.
A quiet and polite gentleman, Ken was born in London, England on January 26, 1928 and emigrated to Canada at the age of 21. He married Georgia Morris on April 15, 1953, they were together 65 years and raised a family of three children. Ken had a wonderful life. He enjoyed his farm at the head of Main Street growing chrysanthemums and petunias in his greenhouse and selling sweet corn in his market garden; being Port Dover Lift Bridge operator for 25 years, and enjoying retirement on Prospect Street.
His funeral was held at Thompson Waters Funeral Home, 102 First Ave., Port Dover (519-583-1530) on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 11 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service to celebrate Ken’s life at 12 p.m. in the funeral home Chapel, Rev. Kathryn Vance officiated.
Source: www.tributearchive.com