Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
City philanthropist left lasting legacy
Touching tributes to kind and generous Roger
A generous businessman who donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to clubs and societies across the city has died.
Canterbury businessman Roger O’shea grew Pharon Independent Financial Advisers from a basement office in Herne Bay into one of the largest firms of its kind, handling £700 million.
And over the years, the 74-yearold regularly dug into his own pocket to support a number of city causes, including the construction of the new Marlowe.
But towards the end of last month, the great-grandfather succumbed to pancreatic cancer at Harrier Lodge care home in Whitstable.
“He was a very warm, caring, loving man,” said his son, Nick O’shea.
“He was direct. He could often be misunderstood because he was always telling the truth, even when people didn’t want to hear it. It’s a substantial loss to the community.”
Born in Canterbury, Roger grew up in the family home near the Esso Station in Sturry Road.
The entrepreneur - who went to Langton Boys - worked for an insurance firm and briefly moved to the Midlands, before launching Pharon in the Bay.
“He left Langton Boys, in the school’s words, with relatively little prospect,” Nick, 48, continued.
“But then became a very successful businessman with one of the top 100 financial advice firms in the country.
“We look after about 1,700 clients, manage about £700 million and employ 35 people.
“The level of integrity he showed continuously was what really worked for the business.”
He met wife Claire at a concert when the pair were in their late teens, and they married a year later.
After the firm picked up, the philanthropist started digging into his own pockets – as well as those of Pharon – to make large donations to organisations dotted across Canterbury.
Among them were the indoor cricket league at the Spitfire Ground, the city’s choral society and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Marlowe Theatre chief executive Deborah Shaw said: “Everyone here is incredibly saddened to hear the news about Roger.
“His support since the theatre opened in 2011, both privately and via Pharon, has been inspirational.
“We’ll very much miss Roger here at the theatre, especially his dry sense of humour.”
Roger’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, September 28. The 11am service will be held at Canterbury Cathedral and led by the Dean.
He is survived by his wife Claire, sons Nick and Andy, five grandchildren and his great-granddaughter.
‘We’ll very much miss Roger - especially his dry sense of humour’