Russell Atkinson: – [Heath 1959–1966]
Sadly I report the untimely and sudden death in Madrid on 14th March 2013 of a good friend Russell Atkinson who attended Heath from 1959 until 1966.
After qualifying as a chartered accountant Russell moved to Spain to work for Price Waterhouse in Madrid. He met his wife Ursula at work in 1977 and they were married in November 1981 in Madrid where they have lived ever since. They had a son Paul and a daughter Diana and Diana wrote to me to say that her Dad was a very happy person and always enjoyed having a laugh. He loved sport, especially cricket. He played cricket in Madrid since 1975. He had a break and then could not stay away from his favourite game so took up the challenge once again. He also loved travelling down to Benidorm. It was his little England here in Spain. He enjoyed eating his full English breakfast plus fish and chips in Benidorm and went there to buy his bacon and pies etc. from the English supermarket.
Thank you Diana and I would like to thank you and your mother and father for the very happy time I spent with you at your home in Madrid when on my cycle ride down to Lopera to see my Uncle Ralph’s memorial for when he was killed in the Spanish Civil War at the battle there. Also thank you for the tremendous help you gave me in helping organise the logistics for this cycling pilgrimage on behalf of myself and the Fox family. All this came about due to my Uncle Ralph’s and our attendance at Heath Grammar School many years ago and the common bond we Old Heathens have together.
We offer our sincere condolences to Russell’s wife Ursula and Paul and Diana.
Gavin Fox [Heath 1947–1952]