It is with much sadness to say John Wellfare passed in September 2024, he was Sue’s right hand man, in so many ways.   

Here is a tribute to him, his work, his passion, his life… 

John was born in Croydon in 1936.  He left school aged 15 and started work at Creed & Co, Cherry Orchard Rd Croydon as an apprentice mechanical engineer,  building teleprinters.

John joined the RAF (signals) for National Service, he enjoyed it so much he signed on for an extra four years – he was sent to Malta during the Suez crisis.  He was always very keen on anything military – especially bands.  After National Service he returned to Creed & Co where he stayed building and repairing teleprinters  at their factories in Croydon, Brighton, Mitcham and Burgess Hill – much of the work was done for the Admiralty, especially the repairs.

John was a lover of all music, but his great favourite was Elvis Presley along with any brass/silver bands, especially being played loud!

He was a keen sportsman from very early on, playing football for Woodside School, in the school team in 1946  and cricket at the same school with his Dad being their biggest fan, as he attended every match.  In later years playing football and cricket for the RAF, Creeds and South Croydon until knee injuries forced him to stop playing football.  He was in the local darts team for the Black Horse in Addiscombe; and played cricket for Croydon Cricket club, where he was one of the opening fast bowlers as well as an opening batsman.  He has many trophies for sports he played.   He would watch any sport and understood the rules of most of them.

He carried on playing cricket every weekend for Croydon, with Sue ending up “doing the teas” with the other wives of players – bit of a trek every weekend from Lancing to Croydon – but they were a great club with lots of social activities.  He only stopped playing in his late 40s, as the club folded.  It’s only in the last few years that he parted with his bat, passing it on to the daughter of a friend who is a keen cricketer.

John Wellfare 2024

He grew up within walking distance of Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace’s ground. They were always “his team” – his beloved Eagles – In his early youth he used to sell the “penny on the ball” with his mate and of course living nearby went to many matches.  

Once living in Lancing he still went to several matches, often with a local friend and supporter, where they would park the car at John’s sister who lived near the ground.  John attended three cup finals at Wembley stadium, one being a replay which the Eagles lost to Manchester United, the second game also against Manchester United which they lost again in extra time but they did win a cup competition in 1991 for the first time, which certainly made him “Glad All Over”

He married Sue in 1972 – having met at a cricket social evening!  They were not blessed with children and with both of them being great animal lovers, took to breeding dogs – Westies for many years and at one time had five of their own.

After retiring from Creed & Co,  with technology moving on at a fast pace, teleprinters were no longer needed, so the company folded.  John decided to work for himself, cutting lawns and gardening in the local area.  Many of his clients were elderly and often he was the only person they would see, he was always happy to sit and chat to them too.

John and Sue had many holidays in their caravan visiting many parts of the UK – and making lots of friends in various places but John’s two favourite places were Cornwall and Derbyshire.  The friends they have in both those counties really came up trumps when John was taken ill supporting Sue in more ways than one.  

Once cricket stopped he took up indoor short mat bowls, which he continued to play right up until the end of last year when the prostate cancer had penetrated into his spine and he found it difficult to bend. 

 He was also an active member of the local Men in Sheds – his lifeline  — he didn’t want to use the electric saw – with his track record of accidents and clumsy ways that was a good decision!  

He loved his mornings there, three days a week, where he was the oldest member.  His nickname there was SECURITY – as he had a walking stick – (known as the prodding stick!)  With that he could bar any undesirables from coming in!  — He was content with watering the gardens and planters and the occasional weeding, checking with Sue first if it was a weed or plant!  

He enjoyed the outings they went on and the sampling of the occasional (or indeed frequent) bread pudding, sausage rolls, lemon drizzle cakes, ice creams and biscuits, as well as all the usual banter between the guys.

John and Sue are also members of the local community association and have been since it was formed in 2006, attending many of the social events.

In 2011 John and Sue, with a passion for recycling, started Recycling in Lancing, whereby they recycle the “hard to recycle” everyday items through Terracycle – and to date have raised, and donated back locally £78,000 – these funds have been donated to charities such as SERV Sussex (often known as the blood runners), NSPCC; Care for Veterans; local scouts, local foodbank, Kent Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance, Lancing & Sompting Concert band, Keep Lancing Lovely, Sompting Wildlife Rescue, Friends of Shoreham Fort, St James the Less Church & Electric Storm Youth and many more. 

Probably one of John’s proudest moments (apart from marrying Sue), was when Sue was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Kings First New Year’s Honours, attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, and was allocated a parking space in Wellington Barracks.  Quite an honour and very well deserved.

 No matter what life threw at John he never stopped smiling.  This has been mentioned many times in the vast amount of cards, well over 100,  that Sue has received , as well as on all the facebook posts on their Recycling in Lancing page.

Everyone says the same,  we will always remember his sense of humour, his constant smile and his kind nature.

Rest in Peace, John, you were a true gentleman and will be greatly missed by us all. 

The above was read at John’s funeral – 15 October 2024 at Worthing Crematorium. 

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