OBITUARY OF J SLATER
Obituary written anonymously shortly after his death.It was with great sorrow and a deep sense of loss that his colleagues and pupils learned of the death of Mr. J. Slater at his home in Ribchester on Sunday 26th August 1962.
He took his B.Sc. degree in Maths and Physics at Manchester University. After teaching at several Lancashire schools, he came to St. Joseph's as Science Master in 1938. During the war he was commissioned in the Education Branch of the R.A.F. from which he returned to the College as Senior Physics Master. For the last 6 years he was Head of Mathematics.
His kindly and thorough exposition of his subject was the basis of many a university career, as many of the boys who have passed through his hands will gladly testify. A loyal and cooperative colleague, he will not be forgotten in the Common Room he graced for so long.
He had at times all the bluntness of the countryman, which he was at heart (he never tired of singing the praises of his beloved Ribchester) but his bluntness was never meant to hurt and behind it was a kindness and good humour which generations of boys will long remember. Perhaps his chief characteristic was his devotion to the school for which he lived. His journey to school was a long one but even in the snow and ice of the most rigorous winter, he was never absent. Two days before his death, his chief worry was that he might not be better in time for the beginning of Autumn Term.
We offer our deepest sympathy to his sister Mrs. K. Parker and we mourn a man who possessed in full measure those qualities which are the mark of a true Christian gentleman.This obit is rather thin. Can anybody add anything?
Ray Wood adds:
Mr. Slater lived in a pub in Ribchester and on occasion treated 6th formers to a drink when they called to see him. He used to say grace before meals in Latin and I think drove an Armstrong Siddley.