I was stunned by the news of Ian's passing, and still am. So as I reflect, 10600 miles away, I not only remember our formative years together at Newport Grammar School (as it was then called) but also our Saturday and school holiday jobs at the newly opened Sainsbury's in Bishops Stortford.
At just 15 years old it was our first worldly venture, and we spent many happy hours working very hard, with some occasional skylarking ... but never anything untoward! It was a great introduction to the working world and many reading this will know that Ian went on to even greater things within the Sainsbury's organisation. I know that my darts skills greatly improved during the lunch breaks in the staff canteen, and I think Ian's did too!
I can also recall the billy cart with a bubble car body we built with a couple of school mates! We proceeded to push it from Bishops Stortford to Harlow to raise money for Oxfam. That was really hard.
Ian was a fine friend and work colleague, and he will be greatly missed. Hopefully someone will have a sly single vodka and tonic at the wake on my behalf ... just as we may have done when we were not supposed to!!
Vale Ian.
Ann, Richard and Marie ... our hearts are with you in this time of great sorrow.
John & Johanna Groarke & family - Sydney
John Groarke
12/05/2016
