Jack Gostling Smith (23 Jun 1922 - 7 Sep 2020)

In loving memory of Jack Gostling Smith who sadly passed away on 7th September 2020.

Jack was born on 23rd June, 1922 at the Jolly Farmers public house in Fressingfield. One of 10 children to George & Mabel and was the last surviving child, living to the amazing age of 98.

He went to school in Fressingfield and left at the age of 14 to work on a farm in Sisland until joining the navy in August 1940 at the young age of 18 in the signal branch. After completing his training in Chatham he was then drafted to commission a new ship, HMS Starwort, which was a flower class corvette. He set sail for Freetown with another troop ship, the Anselm. Due to other ships being targeted, the Starwort and a survey ship rescued over 1000 men. Sadly over 240 of them were lost at sea.

Jack had lots of tales to tell of his days in the navy and relayed many of these to friends and family over a few whiskeys. He completed seven years in the navy and left in 1947.

He joined East Anglian Roadstone and transport company and worked for them for over 37 years! Starting firstly as a labourer progressing to foreman and eventually supervisor. Many times would he complain about the state of the roads 'nowadays' and tell people how it would have been done in his day.

He met his first wife Doris and was happily married for 22 years and they adopted Linda in 1961. Following Doris’s death he went on to meet Liz in 1981. They married in 1984 and had Stephen and James.

He was asked to take early retirement at 62 which he did but after nine months of doing gardening jobs he was asked to take on a supervisors job with Ayton Asphalt and remained there until retirement at 65.

He played darts for many years and won hundreds of trophies and this is how he met Liz. He enjoyed gardening, loved his sports and supported Norwich City, Ipswich and Liverpool. Liz never had much control of the remote on Saturdays and Sundays, at least until after the footie had finished!!

Jack was our hero and our best friend. The Children, Grand Children and Great Grand Children all had a wonderful upbringing and loved him dearly. He was very proud of all our achievements and always told us so.

Jack has left a massive hole in our hearts and we miss and love him so much.

Funeral
Friday 2nd October
Waveney Crematorium

Due to the limited numbers of mourners allowed to attend, those who wish to log in and watch the funeral service live, the details are as follows;

Website https://www.obitus.com/

Username Yega4610
Password 661898

Kindest Regards
Liz