Benson, John

OT 290 - West

Date of Death: 15/01/2017

Taken from The Gazette 65:

Remembered by his friends from schooldays as a studious and reserved boy, John was a good cross-country runner, keeping up his athletic enthusiasm in later life, running halfmarathons and cycling in charity fundraising events.

Following school at Ottershaw John went on to Leicester University and then to Aberdeen University, graduating in Pharmacy before embarking on a lifelong career as a practising pharmacist. John married his wife Mary in 1969, also a pharmacy graduate. With several businesses over a number of years, John and his wife ultimately moved to take over a shop in Hastings in 1981.

Becoming a keen sailor, John qualified as a Yachtmaster Offshore and enjoyed many happy years sailing the English Channel and chartering in the Mediterranean and the USA. In 2005 he sailed around Great Britain with a crew of people
suffering from severe kidney ailments, raising money for organ donations. He was inspired to do this by his own health problems. In 1995 John had suffered kidney failure but, after an organ transplant and with medication, lived on for a further 21 years. Tragically a side effect of his medication led to the development of lung cancer and ultimately to his death. His determination was exemplified by his insisting on riding his bicycle until only two weeks before he died.

John leaves his wife of 47 years, son Peter, two grandsons and daughter Karen. At his funeral in Hastings, moving addresses were given by friends of long standing, telling the story of his life and times and paying tribute to a generous man who had contributed both to the community and to charity. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

John had renewed his association with Ottershaw through the last ten years of his life, making visits to the Mansion and attending the Williams Lunch and AGM meetings. His school friends share in the sadness occasioned by his passing.
Peter Jones