Western Daily Press (Saturday)
City Rotary member brightened others’ lives
ONE of the most popular members of Wells Rotary, Roger Brooke, who stood in for Father Christmas in the club’s annual reindeer parade, has died aged 81, writes Maxine Irving.
Perhaps he should have been nicknamed Mr Christmas because he loved the festive season when he wore a famous sparkly waistcoat and created a grotto in his home.
Wells Rotary secretary Bob Haigh said: “Roger joined Wells Rotary Club in 2005, after being a member of Clevedon Round Table and 40 plus club for many years.
“His past career in banking quickly led – as he said ‘to nobody’s surprise’ – to his appointment in 2007 as club treasurer, a post which he carried out with great diligence and humour until the end.
“He was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship to recognise his faithful service to rotary and the Wells club.
“Never one to complain, when an earlier infection recurred recently with severe physical effects he bore considerable pain stoically, settling his affairs and, during his last days, ensuring that the club’s accounts could be passed on in good order to his successor.”
Sharon Haigh said: “He was kind, compassionate, caring and got a lot done. He loved children and was the moving force to get Somerset Young Carers formed into a charity which he served as chairman for a number of years.
“He was funny and welcoming and positive and brightened up Rotary’s events with his smile and humour and his sparkling waistcoats.
“He was a person who did good quietly in the background. We have a member who suffers with serious dementia, and Roger would keep in touch and support his wife and him when they needed anything.
“What a wonderful guy. He was a good friend and I will miss him. I will miss his outrageous waistcoats that brightened up every party. I will miss his laugh and his smile and his good humour and his willingness to help in any situation.
“Our love and support go to his wife Chris and their two daughters Laura and Katie and five grandchildren.”
Roger was born in Chingford, Essex, and evacuated to Tavistock in North Devon with his mum, twin brother and elder brother.
After his National Service in the RAF in Singapore he joined the Midland Bank and became a manager in North Wales in 1974.
He then moved to Clevedon in 1980 to take up a managerial post in the bank’s training branch in Bristol.
After he retired he worked retraining ex-servicemen in finance. He and Chris moved to Wells 16 years ago and joined Rotary.
Wendy Lucas said: “Roger was committed to helping children. Whilst a member of the community committee in Wells Rotary club, he was the driving force behind supporting fundraising efforts for young carers.
“He helped to organise a very happy day for them at Brean Sands and Funfair which enabled the children to forget their responsibilities and to have fun for a short time at least.
“But having fun was not confined to children.
“We came to expect him to light up every party or event with his sparkly waistcoats and those who were lucky enough to be invited to his home to see his Christmas grotto each year will have been mesmerised by twinkling lights and moving musical figures.
“I will remember him as someone who always greeted me with a smile and sent me away smiling.”
Adrian Lawrence spoke about how Roger volunteered alongside Adrian Clifford to run the bar for the annual boules tournament organised by Wells and Avalon Rotary clubs.
He said: “I never had to worry when Roger and Adrian had picked the short straws as they were both retired bank managers.
“My wife, Sarah, who ran the catering operation was always over the moon when I said Roger and Adrian were in the bar and she knew her day would go more smoothly.
“Roger also, very kindly, helped me sort out the accounts afterwards and, considering we raised over £100,000 over the 19 years we organised the tournament, his expertise was always gratefully received.”
Roger’s funeral was held on Tuesday last week at the Mendip Crematorium, conducted by his son-in-law the Rev Martin Wood.
He was funny and welcoming and positive and brightened up Rotary’s events SHARON HAIGH