1939-2020
Jim and Pauline McGibbon
From the first formal greeting to the farewell, John’s gentle, almost shy demeanour, endeared him to us. He was always so well spoken and so well turned out. We also enjoyed hearing about his committment to church, the village and his family – there was always something going on! Finally, John’s smile, ready to burst into laughter showed a huge capacity for enjoyment, shared of course, with Pat. You will be much missed, John.
Ray Drayton
Our cousin from across the pond.
My cousin John often visited our family in Connecticut which was always a huge highlight for all of us. We were also fortunate to visit John and Pat’s family over the years. My first trip was in 1969. After Holly and I were married our growing families enjoyed so many happy times together including 2009 and 2011 weddings of our children. Our young families lived near each other in Atlanta when John was on extended special assignments for IBM. How great is was for us and our children to get to know our overseas cousins. Over the years we have shared many wonderful times together both here in the U.S. and in England. John and I are definitely related, as we both always had a camera in our hands, documenting every moment. John was very active with walking, playing games like cornhole, punting, birding and many trips to new places. Last year we were thankful that we travelled to Belbroughton and to be with all the Westleys again. With our daughter Amy, it was another fantastic UK trip since we were with them along with Clare and Tom again.
We will miss you John.
Brian Smith
I first meet John & Pat in 1980, when invited to their annual Boxing Day Party two weeks after moving into Church Square. For forty years I/We have been invited to this lovely annual Christmas Time get together and attended whenever possible. I have very happy memories of John (& Pat), Wednesday’s and Friday’s in various Belbroughton Inn’s, Saturday’s at various Village Halls and their house for Dinner. Also theatre and concert visits. I will remember John as a gentle man and a Gentleman, and surely one of the last who would always stand when a lady entered the room. I know that Pat, Clare and Tom will remember him with pride as a loving husband and father. Belbroughton will remember him as a long companion and someone who supported village life over the many years he lived there, and definitely left his mark. God bless you my friend.
Brian Smith
Martin Woodward
Very happy memories of Wednesday walks with John and company. He taught me alot about the walks round Belbroughton etc. If we had not put the world to rights by the end of the walk we had after a pint in the pub!!
Andrew
I first met John in the late 60s when I was sent, as ignorant southerner, to work in Birmingham and was looking for accommodation to share. By following a newspaper advert in a personal column (remember those?) I ended up in a house in Moseley with John, that turned out to have such thin walls we would jump out of our skins when the next door neighbour shouted at his unruly dog. We froze in that house and before the next winter moved on to sharing a flat in an apartment block just off the Hagley Road. John took me under his wing and taught me the joys of the Brummy, pub-based culture of the Duck in Edgbaston and the delightful country pubs for miles around. We ended up both moving to Belbroughton, our favourite among those many pubs and enjoyed each other’s company in the bar, on the odd summer holiday in France and through the delights of village life, until I left to work in the Netherlands in 1984. Even after that John and Pat welcomed me with open arms many a night when I had a work meeting in the Birmingham area the next day. Thank you for that always open door.
John, rest in peace: I know you will as long as you have a welcoming pub within walking distance.
Lorraine
In honor of a life so beautifully lived.. in the short time of being privileged to be in your company John, and alongside Pat, and your wonderful home. I take away memories of such a gentle man, surrounded by such love.. it was an honour to aid and support you and Pat in the time I’ve known you.. May you rest in peace sweet man..
Goodnight and God bless.
Amanda
John you made me laugh first thing in a morning , you always managed a smile even when you felt down . It has been a privilege to be part of your life and your loving family x
I know when I sing my silly tunes you’ll be listening and laughing at me.
Fly high another angel to watch over us xxxxx
God bless x
Kat
After caring for John since he started needing carers he treated me like his own child! I would always remark how visiting him felt like i was visiting my own dad, always happy to see me and as was I to see Pat and John, such a wonderful family who welcomed anyone with open arms! John always asked after my children and recommended places to go for a walk with them, may you rest in paradise you wonderful man!
All my love sent to Pat, Tom and Clare xxx
Andreina Benigno-Thomas
Although I didn’t know you for long, I quickly realised what a lovely man you were. Gracious and kind whenever I saw you and happy to have a chat about bell ringing or anything else of interest in the world. God bless you. Andy x
Rosie Marshall
John was always a gentleman and always there – a picture of him supporting us after ringing to commemorate 100 years since the ending of WWI