TRIBUTES will be paid to a beloved former Lawrence Sheriff School headmaster at a special memorial service this weekend.
Roley Davies died at the age of 89 on August 13 in Llandovery, his home town to which he retired in 1989 having lived and worked in Rugby for 36 years.
He taught at Lawrence Sheriff School as a maths teacher, head of department, deputy head and then head master.
He was a churchwarden at St Andrew’s Church, a notable rugby player in his younger days, and he played cricket for Rugby Schoolmasters and Oakfield.
His funeral having taken place in Llandovery, a memorial service is being held at Rugby’s St Andrew’s Church to allow his Rugby friends, former colleagues and ex-pupils to pay tribute.
Current Lawrence Sheriff head Peter Kent will preside at the service, with tributes to be led by previous head and close personal friend Geoffrey Martindale.
Rex Pogson, another previous head who says he benefited from Roley’s guidance, said: “He was a truly outstanding servant of the town for 36 years.
“The unanimity of tributes to Roley is striking – ‘personification of patience and tolerance’; ‘remarkable combination of superb controlled efficiency with self-effacing gentleness and courtesy’.
“Senior colleagues refer to his loyalty, integrity and teamwork, junior colleagues to his mentoring and unselfish support, ex-pupils to the time he found for everyone, whatever their status.
“Running through all this is the capacity of Roley and his wife Cynthia for friendship and generosity way beyond the expectations of any and each task he and they undertook.
“He was so much more than what he did. He is still remembered with such admiration and love because of the person he was.
“Even 29 years after he left Rugby, the desire to celebrate him here is strong among those who remember him, and those who still benefit from the legacy of his example.”
Ex-colleagues, ex-pupils, Old Laurentians, sports team members and fellow worshippers at St Andrew’s are all welcome to the service.
It takes place at St Andrew’s Church at 2.30pm on Sunday (October 21).
