Tributes to ‘expert in his trade’ as TV repairer dies at 81

Sadness at death of shop owner after illness

Tributes have been paid following the untimely death of one of Ashford’s long-standing and respected businessmen.

Former radio and television repairer David Easton, 81, died at Folkestone Care Centre after a short illness just months after his retirement in September last year.

David was well known in the town and in Hythe where he at one time had a shop at 104 High Street and latterly Marine Parade.

Born David Robert Easton in 1937, he attended Willesborough Primary School and latterly North Modern Boys School and spent his early years living in Park Road, Kennington where his parents had a bungalow.

At the age of 14, David was successful in finding a job with onetime television and radio engineers G.E. Wallis in Middle Row where he learned his trade and latterly worked for Clifton’s in Castle Street before establishing his own shop at 51 Hempsted Street in 1960.

In 1972, he was forced to relocate the Ashford shop following the compulsory purchase of Hempsted Street for the Tufton Shopping Centre, by which time he had taken over the former premises of Passmore the Builder at 74 New Street where he remained until his retirement in 2018.

It was in the 1970s when David opened his first shop in Hythe.

David had a presence in Hythe until the 1980s, by which time he wanted to concentrate his efforts on the Ashford shop.

As well as repairs, the business undertook aerial work, with David still clambering up on rooftops way into his 70s, although much of this work was undertaken by his faithful colleague Kerry Legg who had worked for David since 1975 and retired last year.

Over the decades, David had eight staff working for him.

An avid Gillingham fan and keen motor racing enthusiast - often racing at Brands Hatch in the 1960s and 70s - David was also in the Don Hills Accordion Band whom used to play Country Dancing Music for the Caledonian Society.

During his spare time, he used to love spending time at his cottage near Whitby in Yorkshire.

Scores of people have been describing David with respect and affection this week, describing him as an expert in his trade.

Mr Easton's funeral will be at Charing Crematorium on Tuesday, March 26 at 12.40pm.

Mr Easton’s New Street shop before opening in 1972