A tribute to Eric Geoffrey Squires 1923 - 2015
In the Community
Rotarian Eric Geoffrey Squires- Died at the L & D Hospital at the age of 91 years on the 19th June after a short
illness.
Gentleman Geoffrey was born on the 12th December
1923, the son of Oliver Frank Squires, a local hat manufacturer, and his wife Phyllis Mary Crew. Educated initially at St. Gregory’s Private Junior School and then at
Bedford School he was fairly athletic and joined South
Beds Golf Club at the age of 12 having attended his first
Luton Town football match at 8 years. He continued his
affection for bot h until his death, playing his last round
of golf only three years ago, but was at Kenilworth Road
during their 2014/15 season. In recent years he also
enjoyed snooker and relaxed lunches at the golf club
with several friends and was still driving his car in January of this year.
He was articled to his Grandfather’s Accountancy firm of
Crew Turnbull from school and called up for military service in 1941 into the Dental Corps where he also enjoyed
football and a new found interest of tennis. From tennis
he became a founder member of the “Ace of Clubs” an
association of like-minded men and women and, from
which, he met and married Janet Staddon on the 6th
June 1955, daughter of another hat manufacturer. They
bought the house in New Bedford Road in which Janet
still resides and where friends and family gathered before celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary at
the L & D Hospital.
Rotarian Geoffrey, a member since March 1965, recently
completed 50 years of “Service above Self” to fellow
members and the community. His accountancy classification providing the Club with years’ of treasurers’ support, auditing, and being regular cashier at weekly meetings. He also played a
vital role in the first few years of Keech Hospice, formerly Luton & South Beds
Hospice, where he was the initial volunteer treasurer/auditor. The Rotary Club
acknowledged all of this service with honorary membership.
Geoffrey was a quiet unassuming gentleman who liked company and especially
of Club and former lady Inner Wheel members
when gathering at their house and bespoke
garden for afternoon tea, croquet and clock
golf. He loved his garden and was admired
and respected in all aspects of his life, more
recently, in a wide circle of friends of the Luton Probus Club. His funeral took place on Friday 17th July at 11.00am at St Margaret’s
Church, Streatley.
Once again, Signposts Luton was asked by Love Luton, if they could help this
year to build a beach for their “Summer In the Sun” event to take place over
the August Bank Holiday weekend.
On Thursday and Friday 20th and 21st August 2015, Team SP joined by a number Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Luton set to create the beach. Over the
two days the team filled 300 sand bags and
moved 100 tonnes of sand to create a brilliant beach in St Georges Square for the
community to enjoy.
The two days started at 8am with everyone
quickly getting stuck in. Despite the work
being really back breaking a great time
was had and all were really proud of their
final result. The team finished the job by
10.30am on day two and went for a celebratory and well deserved breakfast.
Rtn Martin Iles
Wimbledon Trip
President Kevin Lee kindly organised a trip to Wimbledon on Wednesday 26th
August 2015. Seventeen attended, where feedback suggests that everyone
thoroughly enjoyed the day and the English summertime weather didn’t disappoint; rain couldn’t stop play in this group! The group toured the “Mecca” of
tennis and had the fortune of going places that are off limits to the public.
They were snapped in the press room and looking out over Centre Court.
There’s another picture capturing Kelly and Angela playing “Air Tennis” (no
rackets required)! Some other shots of the trophies and an interesting look in
the museum where a particularly famous tennis dress became of keen interest
to some! The trip home was pretty much like the weather, dismal! Motorway
misery was experienced with the group travelling bumper to bumper on the
M25 for what seemed an eternity, however Kelly’s driving was complemented
bringing the group safely home to Luton!