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John Gazey obituary John Gazey obituary
(7 months later)
My lifelong friend John Gazey was born, lived, and has died aged 71, in the same house in the mining village of Bircotes, north Nottinghamshire. The whole of his working life was spent at nearby Harworth Colliery.My lifelong friend John Gazey was born, lived, and has died aged 71, in the same house in the mining village of Bircotes, north Nottinghamshire. The whole of his working life was spent at nearby Harworth Colliery.
Mining villages were country villages and our childhood flourished outdoors – bikes, sport, the woods, the Keswick apple tree in his grandparents' garden that we had a particular affection for. It seems the fruit are even better if allowed to ripen. John's coalminer father, Stan, was a poacher of rabbits and we would watch, fascinated, as he repaired his nets like some land-locked fisherman.Mining villages were country villages and our childhood flourished outdoors – bikes, sport, the woods, the Keswick apple tree in his grandparents' garden that we had a particular affection for. It seems the fruit are even better if allowed to ripen. John's coalminer father, Stan, was a poacher of rabbits and we would watch, fascinated, as he repaired his nets like some land-locked fisherman.
In 1952 John and I were dazzled spectators at the very first match Doncaster Rovers played under floodlights – against the famous Newcastle United team that was about to win the FA Cup. Rovers won 7-2! And in 1953 our boyhoods were changed forever: England v Hungary at Wembley. After Nándor Hidegkuti's hat-trick contributed to Hungary's 6-3 victory, John's mazy dribbles in our umpteen-a-side games would be accompanied by his commentary on his own play: "And Hidegkuti dribbles past the defender, cuts inside and slots it into the bottom corner."In 1952 John and I were dazzled spectators at the very first match Doncaster Rovers played under floodlights – against the famous Newcastle United team that was about to win the FA Cup. Rovers won 7-2! And in 1953 our boyhoods were changed forever: England v Hungary at Wembley. After Nándor Hidegkuti's hat-trick contributed to Hungary's 6-3 victory, John's mazy dribbles in our umpteen-a-side games would be accompanied by his commentary on his own play: "And Hidegkuti dribbles past the defender, cuts inside and slots it into the bottom corner."
For some reason he acquired the nickname "Charlie". He told of riding with Harworth Cycling Club and finding his bike difficult to pedal. Our local hero, the road racing cyclist Tommy Simpson, said: "What's up Charlie? Let's ay a look." Then, like magic, John's pedalling became smooth and free.For some reason he acquired the nickname "Charlie". He told of riding with Harworth Cycling Club and finding his bike difficult to pedal. Our local hero, the road racing cyclist Tommy Simpson, said: "What's up Charlie? Let's ay a look." Then, like magic, John's pedalling became smooth and free.
At the age of 15 John went into the pit, working underground for many years and then on the pit top until his retirement in 2000 through ill-health; the colliery itself was officially "mothballed" five years later. Doubtless working in the pit contributed to his death, from pneumoconiosis, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by exposure to coal dust.At the age of 15 John went into the pit, working underground for many years and then on the pit top until his retirement in 2000 through ill-health; the colliery itself was officially "mothballed" five years later. Doubtless working in the pit contributed to his death, from pneumoconiosis, the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by exposure to coal dust.
After his father's death in 1977, John quietly gave unstinting devotion over many years to his mother, Myfanwy. It was always such a pleasure to visit him and catch up on news, to natter about the past, and help finish the crossword.After his father's death in 1977, John quietly gave unstinting devotion over many years to his mother, Myfanwy. It was always such a pleasure to visit him and catch up on news, to natter about the past, and help finish the crossword.
His mother and his sister, Glenys, survive him.His mother and his sister, Glenys, survive him.
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