Philip Hayes (28 Oct 1940 - 6 Nov 2024)

In loving memory of Philip Hayes who sadly passed away on 6th November 2024

Phil grew up in Southend with his parents Kathleen and Henry, and his nine brothers and sisters – Veronica, Susan, David (sadly deceased), Peter, Robert, Angela, Kevin, Diana and Colin – and remained very close to them until the end.

Phil’s first love was Southend High School for Boys, which he attended from 1952 to 1959. In 2015 he organised a Very Old Boys’ reunion (with the help of his old schoolfriend Terry Brown) for all the “boys” he was at school with – average age 75 years! – and more than 80 Old Boys came from all over the world to join in the fun. It was such a success that Phil was asked when the next reunion was going to be, so he organised two more in 2017 and 2019.

While he was in the sixth form Phil discovered his second love. He started working weekends and summer holidays at Peter Pan’s Playground (now Adventure Island). He was having so much fun that he continued working weekends for another 10 years. What’s more, it was extremely lucrative (there were no wrist bands in those days!). Most of all, Phil made lifelong friendships with Bryan Andrews, Chris Petty-Mayor, Maurice Alder and Chris Street. At the age of 19 he left home to move into one of the first “bachelor flats” in Southend with two friends. Many of his friends will have fond memories of their “riotous parties”.

Phil’s first job, in 1959, was with Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Foulness. In 1966 he decided that a business career was a better option and he joined Freemans Mail Order in London. In 1970 he moved to Leeds to work for John Collier the tailors as Export Director to run clothing shops in Europe and north Africa. Thus began his love of travel and in 1975 he moved to Benidorm to sell Costa Blanca properties to the English.

On his return to England he settled in Yorkshire with his first wife Jane and began a long career in the textiles industry, firstly in export sales where his passion for travel continued. He became Sales Director for Coats Patons, then moved to Monarch Textiles as Managing Director, where he had the pleasure of visiting Downing Street to instal anti-terrorist net curtains in numbers 10, 11 and 12. (Not everyone can say they sat on Margaret Thatcher’s bed!). In 1991 Phil took the opportunity of returning to Southend to take up the position of Managing Director with Airborne Industries, taking regular business trips to Europe and the Far East.

Phil was blessed with two lovely daughters, Lucy in 1982 and Caroline in 1984, and took immense pleasure and pride in sharing their life journeys. He was also fortunate to spend time with his three fabulous grandchildren – Jack, Margot and Wilbur.

I was the luckiest person of all. I got to spend the past 25 years of my life with this wonderful man. We married in 2002, and we found fun in everything we did and had joyful holidays, particularly in our little corner of Tenerife (practically our second home). We also shared much love and laughter (and beers, curries and holidays) with our gang – Sally, Gerry, Pete, Shaun, Lea, Dave, Sue, Gail, Tony, John and Frank.

Phil made a lasting impression on everyone he met, with his wit and wisdom. There is not another like him. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew and loved him, and mostly by me.

Farewell my love
Your adoring wife
Carol x