Obituaries & Tributes

Ken Sears (1927-2014) - An Appreciation

Ken Sears_and_medalEvery individual is unique, but some are uniquer than others!  And Ken Sears, who died on 9th November 2014, was certainly one of those.

Born in Sheerness, he lived in the same house in Winstanley Road all his life.   After attending the Broadway Primary School, he went to Borden until he was 18 and thence to Lincoln College, Oxford, where he graduated in Modern History.  He  spent a further year in Government Studies at Mansfield College before being employed initially by Coventry Council and then by the City and Guilds Institute, where he worked as an Education Officer for the rest of his careeer.  So much for the bare facts.  What made Ken so remarkable, however, was his huge range of interests and 'extramural' activities, of which three in particular stand out.  

Ken Sears

We regret to announce the passing away of Ken Sears on 9 November 2014.  Ken was a long standing member of the OBA committee and will be sadly missed. More details of Ken's life and contribution to the Old Boys will be added shortly. 

The funeral took place on Thursday 20th November 2014 at 2-30pm at Hope Street Church, Sheerness.

Marion Minhall

We have just sadly heard that Marion Minhall, a former teacher at the school, has passed away after a short illness.  Our sympathy and condolences are with her family.

Christian Smith

We are sorry to announce the untimely death of Christian Smith, who was at Borden from 1991 to 1993, following an accident while he was taking part in a charitable cycle ride.  Our thoughts are with his family and friends.  

Harold Vafeas

It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing away of our former President and school headmaster, Harold Vafeas, on 25th January 2014, after a long struggle against cancer.  The funeral took place on Friday 7th February 2014 at 3pm at Holy Trinity Church, Margate and was attended by many OBA Committee members, Governors, Teaching staff past and present , as well as several boys from Year 13.

A Memorial Service was held in Holy Trinity Church, Sittingbourne, on Tuesday 1 April 2014 to celebrate Harold's life.  Graham Barnes gave a tribute from the Old Bordenian Association.

Chris Willson - Obituary

It is with regret that we have to report that Christopher Neil (Chris) Willson passed away suddenly at home on May 10 2013, aged 56.  Chris left Borden in 1975 after taking his 'A' levels and went on to study at Oxford University.

Jonathan Brownridge - Obituary

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Jonathan Brownridge on 22nd October 2012 at the age of just 56. Jon was at the School from 1967 until 1974 before going on to study Physics at Imperial College having been inspired to do so by John Macrae, and their shared passion for physics ensured that they remained firm friends. 

Jon was an enthusiastic member of the OBA and attended many of the Dinners up until 2011. He kept in touch with a group of his contemporaries and many of those were among the almost 200 strong congregation at his funeral which was held on 1st November 2012.