Goddard, Handel

Teacher Mathematics - Jan 1951 to Jul 1957

Date of Death: 08/10/1999

Extracted from The Gazette No 31

It is with great regret that we announce the death on October 8th., 1999 of Handel Goddard. He passed away peacefully while listening to Beethoven's ‘Emperor’ Concerto in the company of his daughters, Felicity and Poppy, and his granddaughters. The funeral was held on Monday, November 1st. in the West Chapel at Eltham Crematorium. It was attended by family and friends, in a small gathering which included Ottershaw Old Boys Chris Roberts, David Dungate and Mike Carter, and Peter Cunningham from the former teaching staff, an Honorary Member of the Society.

Unfortunately our President Dennis Williams was away in Korea on business, Tony Forward had a prior engagement, Bill Holloway started his long journey by coach only to be prevented from attending by a crash on the M4 which held him up for six hours, and Tony Foster made it to Eltham but could not find the chapel. Chris Roberts did sterling work, ’phoning around everyone within striking distance of Eltham but, being a working day, most Old Boys were unavailable.

Why ‘Handel’? His father was very fond of the composer of that name, and his own name was George. His first son was named Frederick and his second Handel, hence ‘George Frederick Handel’.

After the funeral most attendees went to his daughter Felicity’s home in Greenwich to partake of a Handel tea. This consisted of all his favourites made to his own recipes. It started with Harvey’s Bristol Cream sherry and then smoked salmon sandwiches on granary bread, and cucumber sandwiches, followed by flapjacks, macaroons, and something made with cornflakes and golden syrup, and last and by no means least, rich fruit cake all
wasnca aown wim more snerry and tea. We were told that the grandchildren were fascinated to hear about their ‘Grandpa Bristol’ from those who knew him before they were born. The musical accompaniments at the funeral reflected Handel’s great love of music, Kathleen Ferrier and his contemporary at Goldsmiths College, Jack Brymer.

We remember with delight Handel’s teaching gifts; the time and attention he lavished on us; the kindness and warmth; the wit and that special twinkle in his eye which he had to the end. Let us hope it is for him a beginning. Our hearts go out to this lovely family in their loss, and hope that kind and happy memories will sustain them.

Certainly he was a great man to all who w ere privileged to know him.

Hail and farewell.

Mike Carter (Fizz) OT132