Retired Botley solicitor Gerald Shirley passed away peacefully aged 72 at Sobell House hospice on January 11 following a short illness.
The former Magdalen College School pupil was well known among the parishioners of St Michael’s Church in Cumnor and St Michael at the Northgate, in Cornmarket Street, Oxford, where he sang as a tenor in their respective choirs.
Originally from Botley, his family lived at Yarnells Hill and his parents owned and ran the Hardware Store in Elms Parade for many years. He trained as a solicitor and was a partner at Linnells, where he practised for more than 40 years, before retiring in 1993.
A hereditary Freeman of the City of Oxford, he kept himself busy during retirement becoming president of the Frewen Club in St Aldate’s in 1996. He was a keen follower of countryside pursuits and enjoyed walking his dog, Nimrod, across Port Meadow. He is survived by his wife Valerie and sons Mark and Julian.
A private cremation service was followed by a thanksgiving service at St Michael’s Church, Cumnor, yesterday.
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