Tribute: John Currell

John was born in High Wycombe on 24 February 1942 to Charles and Ethel. His sister, Ann, came three years later.

John attended the Royal Wycombe Grammar School and went on to read Civil Engineering at Kings College, London. After practical experience on-site and in a design office he qualified to become a Chartered Member of the Institution of Civil Engineering.

His career progressed and in 1969 John was offered a job at Bucks County Council (BCC) in the Forward Planning Group, having responsibilities for the new city of Milton Keynes.

At BCC John gained several promotions until he reached the pinnacle by being appointed to the post of Head of Transportation. He retired in 2002, having worked for 33 years in Local Government.

John met his future wife, Margaret, whilst on holiday in Yugoslavia. They were married for 54 ½ years. John was very proud of his sons, James and Mark, and he loved and enjoyed the company of his daughters-in-law and his 5 grandchildren.
John and Margaret enjoyed walking and would visit the Lake District annually. They also enjoyed many trekking holidays in distant parts of the world.

John loved all sports. He was a successful competitive athlete until 1970. He then played hockey for Aylesbury 2nd team until he was 62. John didn’t lose contact with Aylesbury Hockey Club. He qualified to umpire hockey, which he did most Saturdays in the earlier years of his retirement.

On retirement John took up golf at Chiltern Forest Golf Club.

He became a member of the U3A and ran a discussion group for many years.

John was very public spirited and he spent time doing voluntary work on the Ridgeway and Thames Path and for the Chiltern Society.

He was a Friend of Wendover Health Centre, using his car to take people to health appointments.

When BCC threatened to close Wendover’s library, without hesitation he joined the committee whose aims were to form a volunteer-run library.

John also was part of the team producing the Wendover Neighbourhood Plan. He was awarded Freedom of the Parish of Wendover in recognition for his work in helping to formulate the Neighbourhood Plan.

Other pastimes included cycling, going to the gym, Pilates and the allotment. He enjoyed growing vegetables, some in great abundance! He held the post of Secretary with the Ashbrook Allotment Association until he died suddenly on 10 May 2022.

At John’s funeral his sons said they “remembered their dad as a kind, warm and empathetic person; concerned for the happiness of others: there to lend a hand of support when needed.”

He will be sadly missed by Margaret and his family and friends.