OR Obituaries
OBITUARIES
Jean Clarke
It is with sadness that we inform you of the passing of former teacher Jean Clarke. Last Wednesday, she passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 98.
Jean was a well respected teacher at the school, remembered for her strong, yet extremely caring and supportive nature. Her passion for theatre is well known across our community, with many people remembering her for her fantastic school musicals.
We are saddened by this news, and send our love and thoughts to all her family and friends at this time.
If you would like to pay your respects to Mrs Clarke, her funeral will be held on:
24th October 2023
Halifax Minster
2.00pm
Michael Elford
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Michael Elford; a respected and admired man, who was Headmaster at Rishworth School in the 1990s. Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family at this sad time, there will be many staff, students and parents who will remember Michael fondly.
We thank Michael for his service to the School and wider community, his legacy is very much an honoured one.
John Harrison
It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Old Rishworthian John Harrison, aged 97.
Born in Halifax in March 1925, John enjoyed his time at School and wrote that: “The summer of 1941 was my last year at Rishworth School, at the end of which we had to sit the exam for our School Certificate. The weather that summer was beautiful, not ideal for staying indoors studying but we were allowed time to walk up to the moors and do our swotting there.
“The exams were not too bad and afterwards we had a lot of free time, however then we were not allowed out of the School but we didn’t worry too much about the rules by then. Despite this bad behaviour myself and another boy were made up to prefects for two weeks, I suppose it looked good on my CV. The exams results were sent out by postcard and there began the rest of my life.”
John signed up to the RFA (Merchant Navy) as a radio officer and although only 17 joined the war effort and had ‘the best time of his life’ over the next four years including spending time in Canada, USA, South America, India, Sri Lanka and all over the Mediterranean. Whilst in the Med he met up with three other Old Rishworthians - Edward Taylor Trott, Geoffrey (Ducky) Drake and “Gobby” Gledhill. He said: “Although the school had only 106 pupils it was surprising that I met 3 boys I was at school with all in the Mediterranean in 1943.”
After the war John married Margaret (Peggy) Watson and they bought a Laundry in Worthing, Sussex in 1949. They had two children and continued to live in the Worthing area until his death aged 97 in May 2022.
The thoughts of everyone at Rishworth School are with John’s friends and family at this sad time. Rest in peace, John.
Peter Kingsford
It is with deep sadness we wish to let the OR community know that one of our long standing members Peter Kingsford (92) passed away.
Peter was in fact born at Rishworth, at the time his father was headmaster, Rev Kingsford. Peter attended Rishworth as a pupil between 1939-1943. He was a frequent attendee at the OR London luncheon events and will be dearly missed by many OR's who shared a lovely afternoon with him recounting times gone by. Rest in Peace Peter - Res Non Verba
Nick Osborne
With great sadness we’ve been asked to pass on shocking news that one of our own, Nick Osborne, passed away on 2nd April. Nick attended Rishworth from 1968 to 1973 and subsequently married his love from School, Sandra (Travis as was). Nick and Sandra have been married for 42 years and have 2 children, Adam and Rebecca, and one grandchild.
Geoffrey Moss
Geoffrey Moss died on 2nd October. Geoffrey was approaching 91 and passed away at his home in Richmond upon Thames. He was at Rishworth from 1941 through to 1949 and was a frequent participant and a cheerful character at the London Lunches in recent years. We'll drink to his memory when we meet again this coming April.
Geoffrey's funeral is to be held at Parkwood Crematorium in Elland on Thursday 4th November at 11:15
RIP Geoffrey.
ROGER HOWES
Roger was Head of Modern Languages for many years. A very accomplished and well respected teacher, by students and colleagues alike. He was Housemaster of Governors House, one of the two main boys boarding houses for many years. The School and the students that he taught and had pastoral responsibility for always came first. Whether running the Boarder`s Bar or organising boarders trips to places such as Alton Towers, Roger was the epitome of an organised, reliable and conscientious teacher who well reflected the Res Non Verba Rishworth approach. He was genuine and honourable man and a good friend who those that worked with him and those who had the benefit of his teaching have many fond memories of.
Rest in Peace Roger and thank you for all that you did and accomplished at Rishworth.
DAVID COCKROFT
David Cockroft was President of the ORGS at the time of his passing and a very charming and humorous individual - he will be missed.
ALBERT POLLARD
TERRY CREW
MICHAEL BROADBENT Link to obituary here
CHRISTOPHER & DAVID KERSHAW
David Kershaw, brother of David Kershaw, passed away on 7th April 2019 at the age of 86. Thoughts are with his family.
Christopher Kershaw died in March 2018. He was the brother of David Kershaw. Christopher was 88 and a service of celebration was held at Halifax Minster on Weds 28th March 2018. He will be sadly missed by all OR's who new him Christopher was a regular at the London Lunch and Founders Day. Rest in Peace.
DARREL KAYE
Darrel Kaye has passed away peacefully on 18th November 2015, aged 87. My father wanted all his fellow ORs to know of his passing as Rishworth was a huge part of his life and he made lifelong friends there.
Susan Rich (Darrel's daughter)
BAKARE OLAYINWOLA YESUFU 1966 - 2013
JOHN CROSBY HOGG 1917- 2013
FRED WOOLLEY
DUNCAN MOON
Passed away peacefully on 10th January in Stirling Community Hospital, formerly St Katharyn's, Bridge of Allan, aged 88 years. Much loved father of Peter and Louise, Grandpa to Emma, James, Rachael and Will and Father-in-law to Peter and Stella.
Duncan was at School from 1939 to 1943 and you’ll all know that he was a stalwart of the revived OR London Lunches making his way down from Scotland by train each year. People were only asking after him at the recent lunch as we have missed his presence in recent years.