John Bastiani (22 Jul 1941 - 1 Jun 2024)

Dear Diana and the rest of the family , I was sorry to hear about John , always had fond memories when ray mum and Louise and Ii came up to see you all , my thoughts are with you today , xx 😘

A brilliant charity picked by a brillaint man. John was always so interesting, and interested in other people & the world around him. A truly warm person, with a kind heart & cracking sense of humour. We love you & will miss you, Grandad John x

We'll miss you terribly.

So very sad for the whole family. I will be thinking of you all so much at the funeral and in the coming months. We know how devastating this is for everyone who knew and loved John. His friendship, kindness and good humour will be remembered by us all.

John’s work in home school development was so important .Those of us who were part of the organisation he started - the Home School Development Group - gained hugely from his knowledge , research and commitment to encouraging schools to engage parents effectively for the benefit of their children. We were able to enjoy the Conferences and meetings he and Diana organised for many years . We know that much changed in education as a result and schools’ relationships with parents have greatly improved.

I first met John about 30 years ago when I became interested in parental engagement . As a real guru in this area I wrote to John and he was immediately so generous and responsive - he became a real mentor for me . And not just a mentor a really lovely supportive friend .

He led the national home school development group ( backed up by Diana’s wonderful organisational skills ) with such a twinkle in his eye . The meetings he chaired so skilfully were fascinating , informative and full of teasing and laughter - they provided us all with an absolutely invaluable group of colleagues

John was one of the most wonderfully genuine and lovely people I have ever worked with . His work- all his publications, training and talks had enormous impact on helping schools to really connect with and support parents, children and their families .

Thanks too to Diana … she and John were a remarkably effective team together and he would never have achieved what he did without her . All my love to all his extensive family .

Myself and Sue were so sorry to hear of the passing away of John and we will always remember the happy days of going to bike races with you and John.

Due to personal problems, I will not be able to attend the service... but will be looking at it on-line and we have completed a search thru our old pictures and found a few to make us smile and attached them here.

All our love to you Diana.

I donate with love to Johns chosen charity

I will always remember the many stories Martyn told me of his childhood favourite cousin A genuine gentleman who later made me feel so welcome to the family and I send my love to Diana and all the family at this sad time.

In memory of my darling Johnny, who supported me through good times and bad, and never judged. A wonderful man.

Always in my heart xxx

Donated by Nick and Chris Bullimore , great friends of John and Diana who will be unable to attend the funeral in person but who will be there in spirit. Many thanks from the family.

Remembering good friend John, a lovely man. Love to Diana.

So many great memories of John - a man who inspired many, myself included. Always had a smile and who can forget his amazing 'Dad dancing'. Rest in peace as you take your final bike ride.

Memories of a great cousin, growing up on the Isle of Wight together and later on meeting up as two families when on holidays.
With much love to Diana & family from Maureen & family XX