Spall, Jeffrey

July 15th, 2006 by JCB
Posted in Obituaries | No Comments »

Jeffrey Spall

14 June 1933 – 3 March 2006

Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Jeff left home at the age of 16 and took an Apprenticeship with the Hain Steamship Company of London. Obtaining his Master’s Certificate in 1959 at the age of 27 he rose to the rank of Chief Officer. Whilst on leave at his then home in South Shields, he met Margaret who he married in 1962. Home life then became more important to Jeff and after the births of Tony and Alex, he went ashore and took up a post as Seamanship Instructor at Wellesley Nautical School, in Blyth. In 1968 the family moved to Harwich, where he became a Licensed Trinity House (North Channel) Pilot in 1969. In 1988 Jeff transferred from Trinity House to the Port of London Pilots and very shortly thereafter he retired.

Jeff’s spare time was very much reflected in his love for the “Sea”. Family holidays were of the nautical theme, having boats on the Thames, the Norfolk Broads, and spending holidays by the Coast – never far from the water!

He was a member of the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service, serving 18 years and was awarded the Good Conduct and Long Service Medal. His most memorable exercise was at the Spithead Fleet Review for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 where he was Skipper on the RNXS Minesweeper Thakham.

During his retirement he became an active member and President of the Harwich & Dovercourt Sailing Club, where he moored his boat Dolphin. He moved on to purchase a Fisher Catamaran on which he spent many happy hours.

Moving on to the tranquillity of the Inland

Waterways of England, Jeff and Margaret

enjoyed much fun on their narrow boat,

Millpond.

However, Jeff always had a second boat in ‘dry-dock’ – in the garage at home – just in case there should ever be a flood in town!

When not at sea, he served the Harwich and Dovercourt community in numerous organisations. A member of the Harwich Town Council for 21 years and representing the Council at various Committees – Jeff was very honoured to have been elected Mayor of Harwich in 1978 and 1979, with the support of Margaret, always at his side as Mayoress. These were memorable and hectic days, juggling work, family life and service to the community. Both their commitment and hard work was acknowledged when Jeff and Margaret were invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

Ten years were served as a member of Tendring District Council and serving on five sub-Committees, he was Chairman of the Housing Committee for seven years. Jeff also took an interest in our younger generation, as President to Parkeston Scout Group and founding Trustee to the Harwich Free-School Exhibition Foundation. Only recently he resigned as School Governor to St Josephs Roman Catholic Primary School having served for over twenty years.

Up until his illness Jeff was an active member of the Conservative Association, Tendring Sports Council Committee, The Harwich Society and Royal British Legion. Very close to his heart, was the Merchant Navy Association Harwich Branch of which he was the President and Treasurer. He would always take pride in marching at ceremonial Parades and had great delight in participating in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Parade in London. He eagerly looked forward to seeing the foundation stone laid for a Merchant Navy Memorial to be erected later this year on the Harbour side in Harwich.

A committed Christian throughout his life he regularly worshipped at St Nicholas Church, Harwich. He fulfilled many roles within the Church and served as Church Warden. He represented the Church as a Trustee for the Kings Church Lands Charity, Chairman of Wimbourne House, and founding member of the Shaftsbury Society North District Committee. In the Christmas of 1980 Jeff had the privilege of representing the Vicar of Harwich and travelled by helicopter to deliver Christmas gifts to the Lightship Crew’s surrounding Harwich Harbour on behalf of the Mission to Seafarers.

His wife Margaret and his Son Tony, Daughter Alex and their respective partners and offspring, will sorely miss Jeff His boundless energy and determination, despite his failing health at times, leaves us all reeling in his wake wondering what we have achieved in comparison.

Mike Richardson

Retired London (North Channel) &

Harwich Haven Authority