Martin Kendal

MARTIN KENDAL (92) DIED PEACEFULLY IN NEW CROSS HOSPITAL, WOLVERHAMPTON, ON 4 AUGUST 2022. He was born in 1929 in Parbold, Lancashire and educated at Bishop’s Court (Formby) and Douai School (Berkshire). He played rugby union for Preston Grasshoppers. After National Service - which he enjoyed - he qualified as a chartered accountant with a small firm which eventually became part of Peat Marwick Mitchell. He worked at the Army and Navy Stores in London and met his first wife Patricia (née Jones) at the Challoner Club in Knightsbridge (a gentleman’s club for practising Catholics). Pat and Martin married in 1956 and lived in Streatham at first, but spent most of their married life in Nottingham with their five children. Martin was by then in the pensions department at Boots. They were active in the RC parish of St Thomas More, Wollaton. In 1973 Pat died, and Martin and the children moved to Codsall, Wolverhampton. He spent the next 15+ years raising us, on his own, whilst running the pension scheme at Tarmac. He was instrumental in the re-building of St Christopher’s parish church, Codsall. At 60, he retired. He met his second wife, Alison (née McCallum), whilst travelling. They married in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1991, and went on to live a full and interesting life in Earley, Reading. Amongst other things, they had exciting holidays, and were very busy with the Save the Children charity. In Earley, Martin was involved in both the RC parish of Our Lady of Peace and blessed Dominic Barberi and also, with Alison, in the CofE parish of St Peter’s. Later, his poor health brought them both to Wolverhampton. He received excellent care in his last years. Martin was known to many as a quiet, honourable, kind man with a great sense of humour. He had an unbreakable faith that ran like a ribbon through his long life, sustaining him in all he did. He provided practical support to numerous family members, community organisations and charities. His wide-ranging interests took in scouting, dancing, wine-making, woodturning, the Catenians, TV comedy, Scrabble, and singing in the car. He was much loved and we miss him. Alison (his wife); Richard, Claire, Sarah, Julia, Peter (his children); and family. RIP Martin Kendal, 22nd December 1929 - 4th August 2022 Contact email: [email protected] Funeral livestream: https://tinyurl.com/436wrh4f or https://www.catholicparishes.org.uk/livestream.html