completing his teacher training. For a period, he taught and coached rowing at Tiffin School. David joined the Royal Navy and served on HMS Illustrious and HMS Collingwood. After leaving the Royal Navy and a time at GCHQ, he worked in IT consultancy and with EADS in support of military communications. In 2019, David retired to focus his time on family and friends and his much treasured garden in central Bath. A devoted family man, David leaves his wife, Sallyann, and children Lewis and Noah. Our friendship continued after Abingdon, from London to Bath, where the Crook’s home became a host for much hospitality. David’s dry sense of humour and mastery in the kitchen will be much missed. Stuart Weatherall (1978) James Wilson (1997) James passed away on 13 November 2022. Paul Thornton (1989) Paul greatly valued his years at Abingdon and went on to gain a First Class Honours BA in Geography from the University of Exeter in 1992. After graduation, he moved to the University’s institute of Cornish Studies in Pool, Redruth, Cornwall, as a research assistant where he gained a PhD in 1996. Whilst in the cadet force at Abingdon, Paul qualified at RAF Benson, one Easter weekend, to fly solo in a powered glider, an experience that he was to return to later. Whilst at Exeter, he joined the Canoe Club and played Ultimate (Frisbee) competitively. He left Cornwall and academia in 1997 to pursue a career in Computer Software Development. He continued to play Ultimate and competed in the World Club Championships in Scotland (1999) and Hawaii (2002), with the European Club Championships in Prague (2001) and France (2003) sandwiched in between, before retiring from the exhausting game. Paul then returned to flying solo, but now in a winched glider, settled in Warwick and became a key member of a walking group. His recounting, with his sister, Romaine, of travelling on the school bus, and of a night exercise with the Gurkhas whilst in the Cadet Force, will remain in our memory. Gill and Jack Thornton John Stakesby Lewis John Stakesby Lewis, member of staff 1964–1966, passed away in Zimbabwe on 11 January 2023, aged 85. John taught mathematics at Abingdon, but will likely be remembered for his involvement with the Senior Scouts, strenuous expeditions, sleeping rough, and introducing pupils to his passion for rock climbing, first learnt on Table Mountain, South Africa. John was a man of strong Christian conviction, good humour and infectious enthusiasm. A former Abingdon colleague once wrote: ‘I had the highest opinion of him. He was good through and through, and also great fun to be with. He was an excellent teacher and a wonderful role model for the young.’ After only a few years at Abingdon, John felt a Christian call to teach in Rhodesia, where he became Head of Mathematics and the author of a series of textbooks, all the while continuing with his extracurricular activities. On retirement, John worked for the Computer Society of Zimbabwe, doing admin for a training course. John met his wife, Joan, through Scripture Union and they were married in December 1971, beginning 51 years of happy marriage. John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, endlessly patient and kind. Roger Baker, Former Common Room (1957–1994) Mark Coomber (1976) Mark was born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, on 12 November 1957. After attending Abingdon School, he graduated in 1979 with a BSc Honours degree in Physics from the University of Liverpool. It was in Liverpool that Mark began a successful career spanning over 40 years in the IT industry. He emigrated to Australia in 1985, settling in what was to become his beloved home city – Sydney, New South Wales. Mark continued working as an IT specialist for a variety of international computer companies and set-up his own company, Smartview. In Sydney, Mark met the love of his life, Carol Wilson and after their marriage in 1991, were blessed with two beautiful children, Victoria and Allistair. Mark loved to travel overseas on memorable family trips, but also relished his happy home life: spending time with his family, gardening, studying the stars and planets, cooking his legendary barbecues and fishing. Mark retired in December 2022, but sadly, after a heroic five-year battle with lung cancer, passed away peacefully in hospital on 17 April 2023, aged 65. Mark is greatly missed by his family, extended family and many friends and acquaintances across the world. Samantha Coomber David Crook (1978) It is with a heavy heart that I report the death of my good friend David Crook, who passed away in February. David was a friend from my early days at Abingdon, where he enjoyed rowing. Other interests included Ten Tors and his BSA A65m which was also the focus of his motorcycle touring adventures with Chris Wort (1978), another close friend from Abingdon. After school, David went to Bedford College, University of London, to study Physics, before GRIFFEN 2024 | 35
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