Obituaries

Posted 27/03/23 The death of Matt Meek

A celebration of the life of Matthew Waddell Meek

Matt passed peacefully on 23rd March at his home in Kiveton Park with his family  and pet dog, Isla by his side. He was 77 years of age.

Born on 5th September 1945 in the Welsh town of Aberdare to parents Matthew and Gwen, Matt remained their only child.

He enjoyed a happy childhood living in the beautiful Rhonda Valley where he was raised in Robertstown. Matt proved himself to be a bright and sociable lad at school and his love of sport would see him making many new friends. He particularly enjoyed rugby, becoming Captain of the school team and playing for the local under 15’s team.

As a young lad he and his cousin ‘Chick’ who had moved into the family home became like brothers. They would spend their days fishing or playing among the coal trains, jumping off the railway bridges with a large umbrella to parachute into the slow moving coal wagons below.

Growing up when money was scarce and times were hard, Matt was keen to leave school and start out into working life to begin earning a living. He started a joinery apprenticeship, working for a local building company while attending college one day a week and gaining a City and Guilds certificate.

Matt then joined the Welsh Guards  and was soon identified by his superior officers as possessing the qualities required to join the SAS. Here he met his good friend Paul Reddy. Not only did the two of them share a good friendship, they also shared the same girlfriend, a young woman called Margaret Lowe in Hereford in 1965 who was serving in the Women’s Royal Air force. After several months of courting, Margaret decided that Matt was the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, not least of all because he was always so smartly dressed whenever they met. It later turned out that he had borrowed many of his clothes!

Matt returned to the Welsh Guards and began playing for the Battalions Rugby team winning the Army Cup on three occasions.

Matt and Margaret married on 13th July 1968 at St Barnabus Church, Heeley, Sheffield. After spending six months with Matt’s parents in South Wales they moved to a cottage in Babsmead, Farnham Surrey where they became parents to Duncan.

In1970 Matt moved to Germany on a three year posting before Matt and Margaret returned to Sheffield and were blessed with two daughters Rebecca and Katie.

By now Matt had left the Welsh Guards and joined South Yorkshire police initially living in a flat behind West Bar Police Station before moving into a police house in Pewdnes Crescent. Matt continued to work hard to support his family and keen to see his children make the best of their lives, always there with his words of encouragement when the girls started playing musical instruments. He would take them swimming every Sunday and they remember well how after each session their dad would treat them to a cooked breakfast. In1978 the family moved into a house on Westwick Crescent, Beachief. 

Matt left the police in 1987 embarking on yet another change of career working as a Financial Advisor, a job that suited his friendly and sociable nature. It did however require him to move with Margaret and the children around the country. Initially living in Preston and then to Wayside Cottage in Newbury. Matt also renovated a bungalow in Newbury. Family time remained important to Matt and family holidays were the perfect opportunity to spend quality time together. Most years they would travel abroad to enjoy the warmer climes of Spain and Greece and where they shared some very happy times. During the other times of the year they would return to Matt’s roots in Wales to visit their family.

By now Matt had two grandchildren in New Zealand, Bodhi and Carys and six in the UK Lauren, Joseph, Rebecca, Abi and Milani. Matt loved spending time with his grandchildren .

Meanwhile Matt was enjoying much success in his financial career which enabled him to take Margaret to many lovely and exotic destinations including Barbados, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Singapore and New Zealand.

Matt eventually took his well-earned retirement and in 2001 and moved back to Sheffield initially living in a mobile home for 6 months before their house on Stoney Bank was completed. Having always had a love of the great outdoors, he and Margaret joined the Todwick Ramblers and enjoyed regular walks with the group and short trips away walking in North Yorkshire.

In 2002 Matt joined Bondhay Golf club where he arranged three large charity days where he persuaded many local celebrities to attend raising considerable sums which were donated to Cancer research.

In 2010 Matt joined Sheffield United as a Greeter at the executive boxes where his out going personality made him well known to many of current and old playing staff. Anyone who met Matt would soon recognize a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. He had a great sense of fun and would help anyone who came in contact with him.

Matt also continued to enjoy his fishing and put his talent for singing to good use when he joined the Anston Male Voice Choir in 2015.

For many years Matt raised money for a number of charities including for his comrades  through Help for Heroes where he raised £3500 for the charity.

The choir also became part of Matt’s charity work, performing in a concert he organized to raise over £2000 for the Ukrainian Appeal. Matt also did a triathlon to raise money for his son’s cancer treatment but this was eventually donated to cancer research.

It was a very difficult time for Matt and his family when in 2018 his son, Duncan sadly lost his battle with cancer whilst living out in New Zealand, father and son having shared a close bond throughout their lives.

In 2023 Matt and Margaret would have celebrated 55 years of married life together and Margaret remained devoted to Matt, caring for him throughout the period of his illness to ensure that his final years were made as comfortable as possible.

Matt described Margaret as having been “his staff, his soulmate and his friend” who he loved dearly. He also credits Margaret with having provided him with three beautiful children, a son he missed so much and two wonderful daughters all of whom have done him proud and achieved so much.

Posted 12/11/21 & 2/12/21 The death of David Wainwright

It was with sadness that we learned of the death of member Dave, who passed away 5th November 2021. Dave was above all a Blade, travelling home and away whenever he could. A most valuable member of the choir since 1984, he sang solo on many occasions, singing John Denver songs was his forte, although his most memorable solo was in front of the Senior Blades at Bramall Lane in February 2018, when he sang the Greasy Chip Butty Song. Dave sang with the Second Tenor's for many years, ending his singing career with the Top Tenor's.

Dave's funeral was held at Rotherham Crematorium 29th November. Most of the Choir attended along with Dave's wife Gladys, Son Andrew & many friends.

Entrance music was Annie's Song by John Denver. Lorna Dewsnap welcomed the congregation and introduced lifelong Friend Ralph ( a former Choir member) and Howard who read out moving tributes to Dave. The Choir performed Bring Him Home & Softly as I Leave You to an emotional congregation. After the committal the congregation left listening to Dave & Ralph's recording of Perhaps Love, a favourite of Dave's.

The family welcomed guest's afterwards at The Robin Hood Inn, Aughton.

Any donations to 'The Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice' can be made online at: www.JohnHeath.co.uk

Posted 30/08/21 The death of Tony West

It is with sadness that we learned of the death of former member Tony, who passed away 6th August 2021.

Tony born in Erith, Kent 1931 became a member of our Bass section in 2005 and was an active and reliable member for more than 10 years. He and wife Jean supported the Choir at various concerts after his health caused him to resign.

Tony leaves Jean, his wife of 65 years, his son Graham and daughter-in-law Tricia and granddaughters, Nicola and Lucy. Lee joined the family when he married Nicola and the three lovely great grandsons - Finley, Charlie and Max have added to the family. Tony also leaves sister Lesley and her husband Brian.

Posted 30/05/21 The death of William (Bill) Parr

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of member Bill, who passed away 11th April 2021. Born 3rd April 1934, Bill was a valued member of our Bass section for the past 5 years.

Educated at Central School, Worksop, Bill went on to be a painter & decorator for 60 years. His 2 year National Service, saw him serve 21 months in Korea with the Warwickshire Regiment.

Bill was married to Janet for 60 years, they have 3 children, Karen, Russell & Rachel who have produced 9 Grandchildren between them.

Bill was a member of Worksop Golf Club for 20 years. When younger, Bill was keen squash player and enjoyed gardening and of course, singing. Bill enjoyed watching wildlife and was a member of RSPB.

Posted 22/04/18 The Death of Bill Gilbody: 

Bill aged 80, one of our longest serving members, sadly passed away on the early hours of Friday 20th April only a few hours after attending Thursday's Practice.

Although Bill has had mobility problems over the last few years, he has, according to his Son Nick, only missed one practice in the last 3 years. This is a tribute to Bill and the support of Joan and Nick for bringing him to Practices and Concerts. The Choir thank them for that support and commiserate with their loss.

Bill sang in a concert on Friday 13th April at the concert for St John's, East Markham and has served the Choir since the early seventies, with the exception of a break when his son Jonathan tragically died in a motor cycle accident.

Bill sang in the Bass section and will be sadly missed.

Bill's Son Nick, sent this message to Choir Members:

• "Hi to everyone. Just to let you know my Dad, Bill Gilbody, passed away this morning in his sleep. The last activity he took part in was choir practice, which he loved and to the best of my knowledge missed only once in the three years I was his driver. The care you guys showed for my dad was amazing and my wife and I were overwhelmed by the team work displayed to keep him upright at concerts. Thank you to everyone for supporting him and making his last days a pleasure. Nick"

The funeral was held at City Road Crematorium on Wednesday 9th May 2018. The Choir sang 'Bring Him Home' and 'Callon Lan'

The Two Roses & Softly As I Leave You, songs from the Choir's CD. 'A Musical Journey' were played at the start and end of the service respectively.

After the funeral, Nick wrote:

"Hi to all. I cannot properly express my thanks to you all for your support at the funeral. I know everyone who attended appreciated how fantastic a celebration it was. You all transformed what could have been a sad occasion into a joyous event. Please accept the thanks from all of my family for what you did. "

Deceased member Roy Bean leaves choir a financial legacy

Members of the choir were shocked and pleased to learn that our friend Roy left the choir £5,000.00 in his will.

Roy was born in Sheffield on 12th April 1934, he served overseas in the Royal Artillery as a young man spending some time in Germany.

He worked in the Steel Industry for Steel Peech & Tozer in Rotherham. After being made redundant he went to school to learn about horticulture, spending many years looking after a Ladies garden and eventually set up in business as a gardener.

He was married a long time to Maureen who sadly passed away from a debilitating illness and Roy nursed her for over 7 years before her death.

He met Ann whilst visiting his wife’s headstone in Todwick cemetery, at the same time Ann was visiting her husbands grave.

They had 10+ years of companionship and it was after meeting Ann that he joined AMVC spending his singing career in the baritone section. Joining the choir gave him a new lease of life after the difficult period he had nursing Maureen.

Ann and friends Rita and Stan became stalwart supporters of the choir

Roy died from a heart attack after returning from France after visiting his sister Pauline.

The choir have lost a good friend and colleague.

Foot note: The choir are to purchase new uniforms with the money left to us by Roy.