09 August 2023
At Taunton Deane Crematorium on Friday 5 August 2023, we said goodbye to Guy Green (SHO1971-73), a great man who died far too young at the age of 65.The “Big Man” was kind, generous and admired by all who knew him. He had a wonderful sense of humour and always found just the right words for every situation.He lived life to the full but his family meant everything to him. He and his wife, Elizabeth, moved from London to Bishop’s Lydeard, not far from Taunton. The Old Vicarage was a large house with a beautiful garden where they built a new life with daughter Florence and son Freddie.Elizabeth’s parents bought the house next door and they have spent many long hours helping to maintain the estate and to grow flowers as well as to develop a magnificent kitchen garden. We heard from Jon Gatward in the Eulogy that he and Guy were students at Keble Preparatory School in North London and remained friends after leaving Keble. Guy, of course, went to Aldenham (School House Odds from 1971 to 1973) as did Jon’s brother whereas Jon went to Highgate.After leaving school, Guy went into the printing business but this did not interfere with his love for Spurs. In one season alone, he watched 42 matches, 21 at home and 21 away games.He also developed an interest in golf and joined Bush Hill Park where he earned the unfortunate nickname of “3-putt”. He loved the social side of life at a Golf Club and many an evening was spent with friends at the bar. These evenings involved, amongst other things, drinking many pints of beer followed by a curry which was required to settle the stomach!Later, in the 1980s, he joined Frinton where he met many influential characters. One was Chris Boggon (M1940-45), an OA and a highly competitive golfer, who introduced him to the Halford Hewitt Tournament in which he played regularly for the OAs, partnering the legendary Bob Coombes (SHE1944-47), a past President of the OAGS, and then Peter Easby (SHE1962-66), a Vice-President.All OAGS members will remember Guy with love and affection. It is a wonderful tribute to him that 9 OA golfers made the trip to Taunton and Elizabeth was delighted that so many OA golfers came so far to be there. Here they all are!David Rawlinson (B1988-93)Dick Hall (K1969-74)Shon Williams (M1975-80)Ian Eggleden (SHE1958-63)Peter Easby (SHE1962-66)Steve Lewis (B1970-75)Ian Wilson-Soppitt (P1958-61)John Yule (SHE1966-71)Phil Murphy (K1965-70)I have no doubt there would have been more of us had it not been the holiday season.The service was led by Ben Marlowe, another longstanding friend, and we heard many stories and descriptions of Guy from Ben and Jon Gatward.We also listened to Freddie recounting some of his personal memories of Dad, Big Man, GG and Greenie. Freddie was alongside Elizabeth and Florence – both tearful, of course, but wonderfully elegant and composed. Flo had chosen a poem “If tomorrow starts without me” by David Romano and had asked Peter Easby to read it. The words are deeply moving and Peter brought out all the emotion and beauty of the poem.And so we must say goodbye to Guy until we are able to meet up again.We will miss you, Guy, and we will never forget you.