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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-19^th 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 18^th. 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 17^th, 2023 Click here

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

John Alexander Waugh (K41-48) died on 29th January 2023, aged 91. His funeral was on 21st February 2023 at 12.00 noon at St Mary’s Church in Newmarket.

Click on Story link to see full story and report following the funeral.

Christopher George Lawrence (G47-51) – Colin Wigg heard that he had died at his home in France in January 2023.

Colin provided the following “A keen all-round sportsman who was originally from East Harling n Norfolk, where he was Managing Director of a successful transport company.  He is survived by his wife Judith, daughters Karen and Debbie and son Michael.  I remained friends with him since his Fram days and we often visited him at his home in France.  The photo is from a squash team in which we both played in the early seventies.”

Alison Litz (M86-92) sadly died on 4 January 2023 at the age of just 46.  Her sister Marisa (P86-89) published the following on Facebook “My little sister, the one and only Alison Litz passed away unexpectedly on January 4, 2023. We were only 16 months apart and grew up like twins, thick as thieves. I’m so grateful that you were my sister and will miss your sense of humor, your laugh, your generous nature, and your kind, animal-loving heart. Sad that your time on this plane is up but rest easy knowing that you were greeted by mom, dad, and alll the doogums. Thanks for waiting for me to make the mad dash to Maine to be by your side. The world is a little dimmer today without one of its very best! “.

Only a month had elapsed between Alison’s diagnosis of liver disease and her passing. The family were shocked and saddened. She was far too young. Plans were being made to celebrate Alison’s life, and Marisa was touched and comforted to receive a note from Alison’s Fram classmates with a special message to be read out at the funeral service.

Roy Samuel Farman (K47-55) died peacefully on 22nd November 2022, with family at home in Masterton, aged 86 years. Dearly loved husband of Sandy.  A celebration of Roy’s life was held in Masterton, New Zea on Saturday 26th November 2022 at 11.00am.

Harley John Barnard (R58-62) died at the beginning of November 2022 aged 77.  He was a successful businessman who led his family business from strength to strength.  He is remembered as having inspired loyalty in his many friends and colleagues.  He spent the last 20 years of his life in Portugal but had many friends in Suffolk.

Harley was born in Stowmarket in 1945, eldest child of Jack and Barbara Barnard, with younger siblings, Philip and Ann, arriving soon after.  He had a happy childhood. He attended Framlingham College before leaving school at 16 and moving to Luton, where he started his working life at Vauxhall motor company. He remained there for a short time, completing an apprenticeship and doing manual work on the vehicles at the factory. After three years, however, he was ready to return to Suffolk and start work at the family motor dealership business, O. G. Barnard and Sons, as it was then known. This marked the beginning of a long and successful career.

The family business meant a great deal to Harley. He was the third generation of Barnards to work in the business, which had been established by his grandfather, Oliver Barnard, in 1909. He moved to the haulage and logistics side of the business, Taylor Barnard Ltd, which was based at Mendlesham airfield. Around 1970, he went to work as a warehouse manager in the depot in Felixstowe. This was also the time when Harley married and became a father. His first child, Ross, was born in 1971. A daughter, Clare, followed in 1973, with Paul born in 1978.  Harley continued to run Taylor Barnard for the next 30 years, and the business flourished under his leadership. When he made the decision to sell the business in 2000, it had become the largest private logistics company in the UK.

At this point in his life, Harley made the decision to move to Portugal. Having relocated to Lisbon, he remarried and his youngest child, Michael, was born in 2003. However, the focus of Harley’s life remained on his business and the joy he derived from it, and he would return to the UK several times a year. He remained chairman of Marriott Motor Group, as the business was renamed, until he died.

He is survived by his wife, his four children, and seven grandchildren.

(Based on an article which appeared in the EADT.)

Timothy William Gough (M80-85) died unexpectedly on 24 October 2022 while broadcasting live on GenX Radio Suffolk. He is suspected to have died from a heart attack mid-song during his programme, which he was broadcasting from home 35 miles from the station’s headquarters in Ipswich. His funeral was on 30th November as a private service for family only, but a memorial service was being held afterwards at Bury Cathedral at 2.15pm. More details of the funeral service can be found by clicking here.

Nicholas Thompson Argent (R62-67) died pacefully on 12 October 2022. He was the brother of David Argent (R55-64).

A funeral service, packed with family and close friends, was held on 3rd November at St Wilfrid’s Church, Davenham, Cheshire.

His elder brother David has written:

“Nick was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 1997 and given a life expectancy of two years. Frequent medical interventions over the following two decades never stilled his determination to beat the odds, his fortitude, and his enthusiasm for life generally – indeed, he became something of a ‘star survivor’ for The Christie hospital in Manchester, which over the years became almost a home from home for him.

At Framlingham Nick excelled in shooting. He was one half of the winning Cadet Pair at Bisley in 1964 and was a member of the successful England schools’ team against Canada that same year. In his final year he was Captain of Shooting (following in my footsteps in that role!) and continued to shoot for the OFs and for Suffolk for many more years, winning (with me) the Families competition at Bisley in 1983.

Nick’s career was in pharmacy (incidentally giving him exceptional understanding of his medical treatment over the years), progressing through various increasingly senior roles in ‘big Pharma’ and involving much international travel, culminating in setting up his own company, specialising in quality assurance of international pharmaceutical supply chains. He was a member of the Royal Society of Pharmacists for over 50 years.

Nick was an avid ‘petrol head’, exemplified by a series of ever ‘sportier’ cars and what can only be described as an exuberant driving style – even towards the end he was exploring ways of improving the performance of his electric wheelchair. He attended many motor races both in the UK and overseas – his knowledge of F1 cars and drivers over the years was legendary. 

An abiding enthusiasm for cricket took him not only to Edgbaston, The Oval and other venues in England, but also to Grenada, Australia (Perth, Melbourne and Sydney for the 2013/14 Ashes), St Lucia and Sri Lanka – though his messages home from afar tended to dwell less on the quality of play than on the quality of the beer – another life-long enthusiasm of his.

He is enormously missed both by his family and by his many, many close friends.”