Geoff Moulder

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Reginald Geoffrey Manning Moulder

Geoff Moulder
Born 16 July 1917(1917-07-16)
Cheltenham
Died 5 February 2001(2001-02-05) (aged 83)
Pilgrim Hospital, Boston
Education Boston Grammar School (1926-1933)
Occupation Store Manager; Personnel Manager
Employer Burton; Royal Navy; Family dental practice; Fogarty Ltd; Walter Woodthorpe Ltd
Known for Chairman of the Foundation Governors of Boston Grammar School; Chairman of the School Governors of Boston Grammar School; Mayor of Boston (1965, 1989/90); Freedom of the Borough of Boston
Spouse Ada
Children David; Catherine; Tessa
Parents Reginald John Manning Moulder; Elizabeth Susannah Palmer
Relatives Brothers: Eric Moulder (BGS 1924-32) and Bernard Moulder (BGS 1935-40).
Four grandchildren at time of death: Ben, Nicola, Laura, Claire

Reginald Geoffrey "Geoff" Manning Moulder was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and educated at Boston Grammar School (1926-1933).

Obituary

From the February 2001 issue of The Old Bostonian

Geoff died in Pilgrim Hospital, Boston on Sunday 5th February 2001 at the age of 83. He attended BGS from the late 20s leaving the 5th form in 1933. The funeral held on 12th February at St Mary's RC Church, bore witness to the love and respect with which Geoff was held, with a huge gathering of mourners.

From school, he joined Burtons men's clothing chain and by the time the Second World War broke out in 1939, he had progressed to be the manager of one of the Nottingham stores. Geoff enlisted in the Royal Navy early on and served throughout the conflict. Having demobbed, he was called back into service for the Korean War, 1950-53.

When back at last in civvy street, Geoff worked for the family dental practice for some years (not as a dentist — that was his brother). He became personnel manager for Fogarty Ltd before eventually joining Walter Woodthorpe Ltd, Kirton, with whom he stayed for many years until his retirement.

Throughout his life, Geoff gave generously of his time and talents in the interests of the community. The list of his activities and involvements are impressive:

  • Boston Borough Councillor for 40 years;
  • Chairman of the Amenity Committee for many years;
  • Chairman of the Policy & Resources Committee for several years;
  • Voluntary work with numerous health and disability charities including;
  • Chairman of Arthritis Care;
  • Committee member of the Pilgrim Heart & Lung Fund;
  • President of the Sports Forum;
  • Chairman of the Foundation Governors of Boston Grammar School;
  • Chairman of the School Governors of Boston Grammar School.

All of this was in addition to his daily work and in spite of a series of health problems including in earlier life polio, a serious back injury and latterly a quadruple heart bypass.

He was twice Mayor of Boston, with his wife, Ada, his Mayoress, first in the 60s and then again in 1989/90.

Recognition of his services to the town of Boston and its people came in 1995, when he was granted the very rare distinction of Freedom of the Borough.

Geoff was a gentle, friendly man with a happy and sometimes challenging sense of humour. He was, from schooldays, devoted to sport in general, with swimming his number one. He campaigned for 30 years as councillor for a modem indoor swimming pool. His perseverance was acknowledged — the pool was built and was named in honour of him — The Geoff Moulder Leisure Pool. This he regarded as a great honour and was deeply touched by it. Needless to say, he swam there regularly until about a year ago. when declining health prevented him.

This then was the man — this a life dedicated to serving the interests of others, serving the interests of Boston and devoted to his family.

Geoff leaves Ada, his wife of 50 years, his son David, daughters Catherine and Tessa and four grandchildren, Ben, Nicola, Laura and Claire.

References

See Also