Donald James Bridger (28 Dec 1938 - 17 Dec 2021)

In loving memory of Donald James Bridger who sadly passed away on 17th December 2021, aged 82 years.

Floral tributes may be sent by 11.00 am on Monday 17th January 2021, c/o John Weir Funeral Directors, 130-132 High Street, Rainham, Kent, ME8 8AR. Telephone No: 01634 373111.

Donations in memory of Donald may be made by cheque for RSPB and sent c/o John Weir Funeral Directors or by made online via https://www.justgiving.com/rspb.

Donald, or Don as he was more commonly known, was born in Battersea, Wandsworth in 1938 to his two loving parents, James & Jessie. Don was the middle of three, following his elder sister Pam and just 15 minutes before his twin brother Dennis. He enjoyed a happy and loving childhood, which was somewhat disrupted by the breakout of World War Two. To escape the regular bombings on London, Don and his brother Dennis were both evacuated to the Devonshire countryside, however this was only short-lived and they soon returned back home.

Through his teens and into his early twenties, Don and his twin brother Dennis were both conscripted into National Service, both serving overseas in Germany, in the Royal Artillery regiment. Don always spoke very fondly of his National Service and was proud to have served his country.

In 1967 he met the woman that would later become his wife, Rose, through a brief chance meeting at her family home, before the pair later bumped into each other more formally in a social club in Luton, Chatham. The rest as they say is history. Married in 1968, just one year later, Don & Rose enjoyed their early years together holidaying with their now extended families and regularly visiting the South West coast where Don would always find an excuse to strip down to his trunks and sunbathe.

After twelve years of trying for a family, their first son Lewis was born. Seven years later, and to their complete surprise, Rose discovered she was pregnant with their second son James. Don had a loving and mentoring relationship with both Lewis and James, often sharing in walks and outdoor activities with James and Sunday afternoons with Lewis watching Italian football. Don was also a keen adventurer and would enjoy planning family holidays to Dorset, Devon, Gloucester and the Isle of Wight.

Don had many jobs throughout his life, with career choices such as a groundsman at Battersea Park, wine merchant, antiques dealer & a radio delivery driver. However Don's main and most loved jobs were at Chatham Dockyard, Mackays Book Binders, and eventually finding his passion as a voluntary reading helper and teaching assistant. He carried this out at the local primary school that was attended by both Lewis & James for their infants and juniors, and where Rose had been a dinner lady for a number of years also – Featherby Junior School.

Don had a vast collection of knowledge and wasn’t afraid to learn something new, admitting in his later years that his biggest career regret was that he didn’t get in to teaching, and so for Don, being able to help children learn to read and help build their confidence was something he was most fond of.

Don was delighted to see both his sons get married and begin to start families of their own, welcoming a step-grandchild into his life in 2010, and to his sheer delight, meeting his first grandchild in 2017. Sadly, in 2020 Don lost his beloved wife Rose to Lung Cancer, leaving behind three very heartbroken men. Don and Rose were a pair who, by her admission “made it work”. For Don, the last year of his life was spent learning all of the skills he relied so greatly on Rose for, something he actually rather enjoyed.

Don leaves behind an incredible legacy for the people he held close to his heart. To all that knew him, they would say that he was one of life’s greatest teachers, and learners, a truly honourable man.

He will forever be in our hearts and minds - The Bridger Family