Obituaries

A FORMER High Sheriff of the IW and former chairman of Bembridge Lifeboat Association, Henry Alfred Bowring, has died, aged 85.

A LONG-standing member of St Helens Parish Council and a supporter of many aspects of community life in the village, Roger Coombes, has died at St Mary’s Hospital.

FATHER John Dunne, former parish priest of St Mary’s Church, Ryde, from 1989 to 1995, has died at the age of 72 at Kiln Green Convent, near Reading.
In his time in Ryde, Fr Dunne was a highly respected and popular figure.

MICHAEL Gilham, a much respected Ryde greengrocer for 34 years and dedicated community figure, has died, aged 78.

A SPORTSMAN who carried out voluntary work, Robert (Bob) Downer, has died, aged 79.
Mr Downer, of Hyde Road, Shanklin, was born on December 9, 1930, in Wroxall to Edward and Elizabeth Downer.

MUSICIAN and former shop keeper, Peter Durham, has died, aged 72.
Born in Sutton, Surrey, Mr Durham, of Popham Road, Shanklin, worked in farming before he was called up for National Service in 1959 and served as a dog handler with the Royal Veterinary Corps.

FORMER firefighter Patrick Ledicott has died, aged 82.
He was born in Newport and after leaving school became an apprentice mechanic at garage Canning Day.

THE former landlord of two Cowes pubs, Douglas Brooks Parkin, has died in Spain after a short illness.
Mr Parkin, who was 59, was the only son of Phyl and Don Parkin, of Kings Langley in Hertfordshire.

A WOMAN who worked tirelessly behind the scenes at Porchfield Cricket Club has died, aged 78.
Doris Saunders was born on the Island and attended Northwood Elementary School, before starting her first job in the office of A. Walmsley.

A SANDOWN man who served most of his adult life in the Royal Navy, Reginald John Chapman, died at his home last Monday, aged 66.
Born in Tonbridge, Kent, on June 5, 1944, Mr Chapman was the third child of the late Stanley and Zoe Chapman.

INSPIRATIONAL Second World War flying ace Cmdr Mike Crosley has died peacefully at a Newport nursing home, aged 90.
Cmdr Crosley, from Binstead, was born in Liverpool, when his father was a member of a touring opera company playing there.

ROTARIAN, Methodist preacher and former school owner Douglas Reading has died at the age of 89.
Born in St Ives, Huntingdonshire, he showed an interest in going to school at the age of just three and his love of education and strong Christian faith stayed with him throughout his life.

A WOMAN, described by her husband as kind and caring, has died aged 72.
Myra Evans lived in May Close, Godshill, with her husband Anthony Evans. They moved to the Island 17 years ago, living in Shanklin, before moving to a bungalow in Godshill.

LORNA Judy Gascoyne, wife of late poet David Gascoyne, has died aged 88.
Mrs Gascoyne was a prominent figure on the Island for more than 50 years and was involved in a number of organisations and events.

FORMER James Bond actress Suzanne McLaren Booth has died at her Gurnard home, aged 72.
Born in Surrey, she died following a long battle with malignant mesothelioma, an industrial disease.