Ray Stewart

It is with sadness that I share the news of the death of my husband Ray following a short illness. Ray’s two lifelong passions were railways and Sunderland AFC. As a boy, he was an avid trainspotter and still has his Ian Allen books recording the locomotives he‘copped’. His interest grew and he began collecting model locomotives then later on, building them and constructing layouts which he exhibited across the UK. He was a volunteer on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for 50 years and spent the majority of that as a fireman on steam locos. He was born in Sunderland and his love of the football club meant he travelled to home and away games for years. I am also afflicted so we had season tickets and still went to home games. He spent a career teaching in primary schools and enjoyed every minute of it. His introduction to the GFS was in November 2011 when we attended our first ever convention. He subsequently became part of the George Formby Society Long Suffering Husbands with Martin Fowkes and John Howard. We made some wonderful friends along the way and visited one or two branches as well as hosting our own events here in North Yorkshire. He will be sadly missed. Ray was always very supportive of my work within the GFS on the committee and my fund-raising and enjoyed the conventions, especially his times with Martin and John I extend a heartfelt thank you to our GFS family who have sent flowers, cards and messages of condolence. Caroline Stewart - August 2024