Sadly, on Friday 8th January 2016, former Twinning Chairman, Jack Greenaway, passed away after suffering with dementia. He will be sadly missed by everyone who met or knew him.
Jack (or Tony to family members) touched so many people's lives, whether it was as the “village bobby” in Ringmer in the early 1960s, Lewes Little Theatre, Lewes Operatic or Panto, his coach tours or, of course, Twinning.
Although not born in Sussex (he was born at Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight in 1932) most of Jack's adult life was spent in and around the county, firstly as a policeman. In 1965 he was promoted to Sergeant in the cadet training department. In 1969 he was, again, promoted, now to Inspector, where he particularly enjoyed going to Dartmoor for the Ten Tors competition and the Brecon Beacons.
Those who went on coach holidays with “Barbican Tours” will remember Jack as their guide to some of his favourite places in and around Europe, including France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
There will also be some who have memories of Jack dressed as a woman, which is something he did on a regular basis, with St Mary's Pantomime. Jack also produced or appeared in many shows at both Lewes Little Theatre and Lewes Operatic Society. His first show was Flora Dora in 1947.
However, of course, members and friends of Lewes Twinning Association will remember Jack for his enjoyment of Twinning.
France, and especially the town of Blois, became a real love for Jack. He first travelled to the town in 1947 as a schoolboy and it was on this trip that he met the family Duval. The friendship that grew from that first meeting continues to this day, with his daughter, Jackie, and her husband, Ashley, still travelling to Blois regularly to see the Duvals, as well as keeping in contact on the phone or by email.
It was little surprise then that when twinning between Blois and Lewes was formalised, Jack threw himself into the Association and went on to become Chairman for 10 years, visiting both the French town and then Waldshut (later to become Waldshut-Tiengen) in the Black Forest of Germany. He gained many friends in both towns, and this is evidenced by the fact that his death prompted an article in Waldshut-Tiengen's local daily newspaper, the Südkurier (CLICK HERE TO SEE). Jackie, his daughter, has also received a personal letter of condolence from Marc Gricourt, the Mayor of Blois.
Jack came to have so many friends in the twin towns that he was always inundated with invitations to events, or to stay in people's homes whenever he was visiting. He was a regular attendee at the Blois Twinning AGM, and would also be in Waldshut each year for their Chilbi festival; every time being met and greeted by many of those that had come to know him.
He was extremely proud of his daughter, Jacqueline (or Jackie to everyone outside the family), especially when she took over as Chairman on the Twinning Association and continued the links that he had built up between the three towns.
Jack Greenaway was known by lots of people in at least three countries and for a variety of reasons. He was funny and generous, an entertainer, but who didn't suffer fools gladly. Many will remember his sense of humour, quick wit, and love of life. He will be very sadly missed, but his memory will live on in so many people.
Although not born in Sussex (he was born at Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight in 1932) most of Jack's adult life was spent in and around the county, firstly as a policeman. In 1965 he was promoted to Sergeant in the cadet training department. In 1969 he was, again, promoted, now to Inspector, where he particularly enjoyed going to Dartmoor for the Ten Tors competition and the Brecon Beacons.
Those who went on coach holidays with “Barbican Tours” will remember Jack as their guide to some of his favourite places in and around Europe, including France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
There will also be some who have memories of Jack dressed as a woman, which is something he did on a regular basis, with St Mary's Pantomime. Jack also produced or appeared in many shows at both Lewes Little Theatre and Lewes Operatic Society. His first show was Flora Dora in 1947.
However, of course, members and friends of Lewes Twinning Association will remember Jack for his enjoyment of Twinning.
France, and especially the town of Blois, became a real love for Jack. He first travelled to the town in 1947 as a schoolboy and it was on this trip that he met the family Duval. The friendship that grew from that first meeting continues to this day, with his daughter, Jackie, and her husband, Ashley, still travelling to Blois regularly to see the Duvals, as well as keeping in contact on the phone or by email.
It was little surprise then that when twinning between Blois and Lewes was formalised, Jack threw himself into the Association and went on to become Chairman for 10 years, visiting both the French town and then Waldshut (later to become Waldshut-Tiengen) in the Black Forest of Germany. He gained many friends in both towns, and this is evidenced by the fact that his death prompted an article in Waldshut-Tiengen's local daily newspaper, the Südkurier (CLICK HERE TO SEE). Jackie, his daughter, has also received a personal letter of condolence from Marc Gricourt, the Mayor of Blois.
Jack came to have so many friends in the twin towns that he was always inundated with invitations to events, or to stay in people's homes whenever he was visiting. He was a regular attendee at the Blois Twinning AGM, and would also be in Waldshut each year for their Chilbi festival; every time being met and greeted by many of those that had come to know him.
He was extremely proud of his daughter, Jacqueline (or Jackie to everyone outside the family), especially when she took over as Chairman on the Twinning Association and continued the links that he had built up between the three towns.
Jack Greenaway was known by lots of people in at least three countries and for a variety of reasons. He was funny and generous, an entertainer, but who didn't suffer fools gladly. Many will remember his sense of humour, quick wit, and love of life. He will be very sadly missed, but his memory will live on in so many people.
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