Page 52 - The Old Ratcliffian 2012

T The Old Ratclifan 2012 | Introductionhe Old Ratclifan 2012 | Obituaries John Breen Old Ratcliffian 1946-51 22nd February 1935-4th July 2012 John Alfred Breen was born in in this sport for many years after a fellow lawyer, and the two Robinson Woodford, Essex on 22nd February leaving. brothers, Philip (58) and Christopher 1935, the only son of Joseph and A legal career beckoned and he (56), who had been close neighbours Dorothy Breen. The family moved to qualified as a solicitor in 1960. He in Darlington when John was younger. Rothley, Leicestershire, where they spent time in practices in Darlington, He remained in contact with the lived for a few years during his father’s London and Carlisle before finally College after leaving. He attended employment as an engineer for Patons joining the Middlesbrough practice the Old Boys’ Weekend (when he and Baldwin, wool manufacturers in of Belk and Smith (later Breen and sometimes rowed for the Old Boys), Leicester. Smith), which was eventually merged the Old Boys retreats and the North They later moved to Darlington, when into the firm of Jacksons. He retired in Eastern Dinner, when it was still a Patons opened a new factory there. 1999. regular event. He enjoyed country At first, John went to Grace Dieu sports, following shoots with his gun and then he moved to Ratcliffe and He married Biddy in 1961 and they dog and he was a keen fly fisherman. stayed there until 1951. He was in settled in the North Yorkshire market the choir; the account of the Ratcliffe town of Stokesley with their children, He and Biddy downsized to an Centenary celebrations in 1947 shows Conor, Pip and Julia. They were elegant flat in Stokesley, but they had that John was in the chorus of The parishioners of St Joseph’s, Stokesley, not been living there long when he Gondoliers which was performed in where eventually, Vic Casartelli (46) became more seriously ill. He died front of a distinguished audience, and Michael Scott (53) became fellow with his family around him on 4th including Cardinal Griffin. He was also parishioners. He remained in contact July 2012. an enthusiastic member of the Rowing with several old boys who lived in the Michael Scott (53) Club and continued an active interest area, including Peter Scott (48), Bill Spowage Old Ratcliffian 1946-52 I first met Bill at Ratcliffe College in we had a relaxed time at Cambridge, 1947. We were twelve years old. but did succeed in graduating. Other than my younger brother, I have I left for Canada in 1957 but we not been friends with anyone for a maintained a close friendship in longer time than I have been with Bill. spite of the distance, since we both At Ratcliffe, we both avoided playing followed Formula One Racing and cricket by participating in tennis and had an interest in vintage cars and rowing. Bill served with distinction as motorcycles. Visits were infrequent, the cox of the Ratcliffe boat. One of but memorable. Apart from my visits the perks of the Rowing Club was that to Chilwell (mostly alone on business, Bill became the first Ratcliffe student but at least once with my wife Mary), to persuade the authorities that it was Bill and Sally visited us at our home in appropriate to have a motorcycle for Virginia and spent a memorable week travelling to and from the Boat Club. with us in India, where I was working in 1999. On my most recent visit last After Ratcliffe, we both completed two year, Bill and I were at Donnington years of National Service in the RAF and only last month, he sent me some before going to Cambridge. Our paths wonderful photos from this year’s continued to cross as we both became Curborough Sprints. I wish his family every success as they involved in the Auto Club and the adapt to a new life in the absence of Caving Club. Bill’s write-up of a caving I shall miss his literary masterpieces Bill. trip to Norway can still be found on in my emails and his friendly voice on the internet. As we were no longer the telephone on a monthly basis. Paul Dyson (52) used to studying after time in the RAF, 52 52