Gardiner, Michael

OT 901 - North

Date of Death: 01/09/2018

To my fellow Ottershavians,

I spoke with Josh Lovegrove yesterday and he then forwarded the email from Michael Gardiner’s son, Matthew. I am indeed quite stunned to hear he died last year. I have been in reflective mood on and off all day with so many memories of him and our friendship at school and indeed for some years after we had both left and were making steps for our own lives and futures.

He joined the school as I was starting my 4thyear.

He was petite and shy and somehow this evoked in me some 'protective spirit,' which remained once I was a praefect and sixth former. He was kind hearted and had a great sense of humour. Often ready for mischief with his mates and was sometimes standing in front of Gary King, as house captain, being put on report for a few days for misdemeanours. He entered year 11 when I left and that was his final year.

I studied close by in Egham so often visited Ottershaw, as an old boy, and had tea with the lads in the North House dining room – so again Mike and I stayed in touch. I used to send him ciggies in envelopes – and he was caught and I had a polite letter from Tom Weston sent to my College!!! Hehe!!  

He phoned my parents to get in touch with me – I was then starting my career as a teacher at a mixed boarding school in Fyfield, Essex. He came to visit me several times with his, then, girl friend.

On my return from working in Qatar and through the OSOBS web page – we were again united and spent many hours chatting on the phone. The same humour and attitude prevailed. We reminisced and laughed a great deal.

I recall his youthful enthusiasm for life and fun – not to harm others – yet also to remain private. I respected that even when we were young. He had a lovely Austin A40 Devon – Traveller. He married and has Matthew his son who he raised alone after his wife walked out. He shared that he had an incident that caused him both hospitalisation and severe damage to his teeth – after which he was unable to work. In latter years he has not enjoyed great health so we never managed to meet.

I remember him with sincere affection – and delight in the times we have shared together. 
Bless our memories.  Khalil Lawry (OT 762 - North)