Philip Gammage (9 Apr 1936 - 27 Aug 2021)

Still think often if this special man who became a friend of our family in the 1960’s when he taught at Ivydale Road Primary School in south-east London where my sister and I were pupils. We enjoyed days out with Philip in his Morris Minor and were much entertained as young children by his playful singing whilst merrily driving along. We had a great family holiday in Snowdonia one year with him, chatting our way up Snowdon and down again. He also encouraged my violin and piano playing. We lost touch, but later re-kindled our friendship and enjoyed an interesting correspondence and conversations about early childhood in which I was also professionally involved. A most lovely man.

In honor of our dear friend Philip, we make this donation to commemorate a life well-lived. Thank you, Philip, for the many fond memories of visits, lively conversation, a sip of something, and the many "talks" you gave to a variety of early years audiences.

With sympathy to Kathy, Sarah, and the rest of Philip's family.

Therese Kiley & Rita Jensen

When we were on holidays with Philip and Kathy, we remember the erudite and considered conversations spoken by this true gentleman -perhaps whilst he was
drinking a glass of red.
Whilst on one holiday, we visited the home of the Lords of De L’Isle and Dudley, an ancestor, and he was treated like royalty.
We also discovered that his family were the owners of Gamages Department store of High Holborn In London.
At an Aircraft Museum, he entertained us with stories of flights, made during his RAF service, in the Handley Page Victor nuclear bomber.
Life was never dull with Philip around.

Deeply saddened to hear of Philip's death. To me, he was always my mad uncle. He must have made an impression on a very young me, for me to call him that. I know he rather liked it, as he used to sign off with it on cards in later years. I remember his great kindness when I had finished my A levels and wanted to get as far from the UK as I could - had to be by train in the early 80s - and decided to head off to Finland to be an au pair. Little did I realise the significance as I ended up just outside Oulu. If I remember correctly, he gave me £50 towards my train fare, which was a lot back then. It was lovely to see him and Kathy in Nottingham a few years back and my thoughts are with you Kathy and you, Sarah if you read this. With much love.

Thank you, Philip, for the lovely times we spent with you and Kathy in recent years. We very much enjoyed your lively company complete with amusing anecdotes from your interesting life! We'll miss those times.

Much love to Kathy and your family

Malcolm & Carolyn Evans

In memory of cousin Philip

In loving memory of Philip.xx

A kind and generous man of great intellect and wit who touched the lives of so many. My condolences to Kathy, Sarah and their family's.

In June 2019 I came to Nottingham from Adelaide, South Australia. The purpose of my visit was to care for Philip while Kathy enjoyed a holiday with her son’s family in Hawaii. I had only met Philip a couple of times previously. What a special two weeks I shared with him! In spite of his continual decline with Parkinson’s I observed a man determined to push through. He had packed so much into his life, contributed so much to the teaching profession, received so many qualifications – and yet, he showed such interest in little ol’ me! I have never talked so much, and probably, shared so much during the time Kathy was away! I left believing I had been in the presence of a great man! We could learn so much from the life of Philip Gammage!
Gay Anderson (Teaching colleague and friend of Kathy for over 40 years)

In June 2019 I came to Nottingham from Adelaide, South Australia. The purpose of my visit was to care for Philip while Kathy enjoyed a holiday with her son’s family in Hawaii. I had only met Philip a couple of times previously. What a special two weeks I shared with him! In spite of his continual decline with Parkinson’s I observed a man determined to push through. He had packed so much into his life, contributed so much to the teaching profession, received so many qualifications – and yet, he showed such interest in little ol’ me! I have never talked so much, and probably, shared so much during the time Kathy was away! I left believing I had been in the presence of a great man! We could learn so much from the life of Philip Gammage!
Gay Anderson (Teaching colleague and friend of Kathy for over 40 years)