Framlinghamian 2023-2024 Single page - web 144dpi - Flipbook - Page 298
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worldwide peripatetic ministry. He was
by a fortnight spent together in Paris,
unafraid of controversy and, in 2000,
learning a bit about the world beyond
participated in the consecration in
Framlingham. The roots of that long
Singapore of two bishops for the Anglican
friendship run deep and thus, this is an
Mission in America, a conservative
obituary that’s not easy to write, but a
breakaway from the US Episcopal Church.
privilege nevertheless, in trying to sum up
He is survived by Mary, to whom he was
a life of so many parts, with Framlingham
married for 65 years, their four daughters,
so often at the heart of them. John had
and their families.”
been one of the very 昀椀rst boys to attend
Brandeston in 1948. He was upset not
Dr JOHN GRAHAM RANKIN (K47-56)
to be able to attend the 75th birthday
John was taken ill on Thursday 7
celebrations.
December 2023 and passed away the
following day. Despite having had Covid
To take the Framlingham perspective 昀椀rst:
in early September, and a fall which
John was a loyal supporter of the Society.
resulted in a broken wrist, he had been in
He organised the Essex Supper for several
seemingly good health. He will be hugely
years, calling on both his love of cricket
missed, not only by his OF friends, but by
and his links with Essex County Cricket
the whole local community in Dovercourt,
Club to organise some of those suppers at
where John had been a doctor for most of
the County Cricket Ground in Chelmsford.
his professional life.
John, together with his much missed, late
wife, Angela, also attended many other
OF occasions. John’s loyalty to the Society
led to his being elected Vice President.
His OF activities were rooted in his time
at the College, where he is remembered
as excelling at cricket and table-tennis
in particular. Of particular note is the
fact that he and his great friend, Norman
Mayhew, played in the same cricket
team during all eight of their years at
the College. John went on to become a
member of the MCC, and President of
Dovercourt and Harwich Cricket Club. A
yearly visit to Lords with John to see a Test
match had been, for me, a highlight of
It is not easy to write the obituary of
many a recent year. John was still playing
someone whose friendship had been
table tennis, and still capable of beating
enjoyed and valued for some 75 years.
all-comers. Another anecdote worth
Our years in Kerrison were soon followed
mentioning comes from On an Eminence,
296
