old perseans
disappeared during one of his bad periods, and he joined the French Foreign Legion. However, he returned to the UK soon after, once they realised he had left his medication back at home! David loved cats, who provided him with good company through the years. He also loved cooking, and helped to supply many a neighbour and local fete with his cakes, marmalades, jams and chutneys. David was also an artist, a letter writer and a poet. His poetry was probably his most prolific pastime in his later years, with many poems published in the parish magazine. Each of us brothers has our own memories of our big brother, David. However, it is Angela who knew him best over their 40 years of marriage, which included some difficult times, she says, but also some wonderful times. As she said, “David could be difficult, but was mostly a kind, generous person, who was always willing to help. Above all, as well as my husband, David was my best friend, and I will miss him terribly.” As we all do, in our own ways. RIP, bruv.
Mike Strawson (1960)
Val Strawson writes: Mike Strawson had a varied and successful career in international trade, and as one of Britain’s most respected export trainers. He was also an amateur baker, charity fundraiser, real ale lover, father, stepfather and grandfather, who will be sorely missed by all who knew him. In the
words of his colleague at Chamber International, director Tim Bailey, “Mike was highly respected and regarded with affection by our whole team, not just for his considerable expertise but for his qualities as a wise, kind and considerate individual.” Mike was particularly highly regarded in Yorkshire, where he helped hundreds of companies to start exporting during his 13 years as Chamber International’s senior export trainer. Chamber International paid tribute to him as “a kind, relaxed man, who dispensed wisdom and mirth in equal measure, Mike was a sharp dresser with an equally sharp mind. Even into his 70s, he was always prepared to work late and travel long distances.” Mike’s career spanned a range of industries and took him around the world. While he was at Croda International PLC, a major manufacturer of chemicals, he managed a highly successful international trade department. This led to him mentoring three other companies, as well as providing guidance during the company’s visits to the Middle East. He afterwards turned his attention to the UK adhesives industry, creating a new division for Datac Adhesives Ltd, training its staff and accompanying a director on visits to South East Asia. Following this, Mike formed Novatech Adhesives to buy and export cyanoacrylate adhesives, alongside mentoring other companies in the sector. His talent for bringing out the best in companies and individuals led Mike to concentrate on training through his business, The Export Trainer Ltd. He also created and delivered training for UK Trade & Investment, now the Department of International Trade, and trained export professionals in Trinidad, Malaysia, Iran, France, Germany and Singapore. Mike’s remarkable contribution to international trade was recognised by the Institute of Export and International Trade in May 2017 when he became only the third person in the history of the Institute to be presented with a Lifetime Achievement award. 22
Outside work, Mike was a Spiritualist with a strong Christian base, a loving family man to his wife, Val, a father of two, stepfather of three and grandfather of eight. He sadly passed away on Sunday 8 October 2017 after a brave battle with cancer.
In Memoriam Peter Joseph Askem (1949)
died 18 February 2018, aged 87 years Maurice Gordon Baker (1953)
died 13 February 2018, aged 83 years Christopher Edward Bullen (1967)
died in 2018, aged 69 years Brian Frederick Butler (1953)
died in 2018, aged 82 years Richard Anthony Lovelace (1952)
died 10 January 2018, aged 84 years Rajen Mahendra (2010)
died 28 January 2018, aged 26 years Harold Walter Olins (1951)
died 20 July 2017, aged 84 years William Gordon Reeves (1957)
died November 2017, aged 79 years Barry Joseph Sanderson (1956)
died 2 February 2018, aged 80 years Russell John Bishop Simmons (1945)
died 27 February 2016, aged 87 years Terence Litchfield Stiles (1942)
died 11 April 2013, aged 88 years Louis Jiew Cheng Tan (1967)
died 30 March 2018, aged 69 years This list was up-to-date when we went to print. Obituaries may be read in full on our website: perse.co.uk/obituaries