P & O pays tribute on death of ferry executive

THE company secretary of P&O Ferries, John Langford, who had also served as chairman of governors at River Primary School, collapsed and died on Sunday. He was 54.

Friends and work colleagues were shocked to hear of his death this week.

Born in May 1949, Mr Langford went to St Mary's Primary School and the Boys Grammar School where he was involved in several drama productions, including Hamlet in 1964 and The Pirates of Penzance in 1965.

He belonged to the Combined Cadet Force and took part in cricket and football.

On leaving school in 1967 he went into banking, and in May 1970 he joined Townsend Car Ferries, working in foreign exchange on board the ships.

He went on to become commercial service manager and in 1992 was appointed company secretary for P&O European Ferries. He continued that role with P&O Ferries.

Managing director Russ Peters wrote to all staff on Monday morning to tell them of his death. He paid tribute to John as "a man who gave wise counsel and whose friendship will be sadly missed by everyone in the ferry industry to which John devoted his life and career".

Mr Langford lived at River with his wife Leanne, their daughter Julia, 15, and son Nicholas, 12.

Mr Langford had already become a governor at River Primary School, appointed by the local education authority in May 1990, before his children went there as pupils.

When that term of office ended in October 1994, his contribution to the governing body was so valued that he was co-opted, and again in October 1998.

He served as vice-chairman from 1997 to 2000, and was then elected chairman. He stood down as chairman in September 2003, but remained vice-chairman.

Head teacher John Bloomfield said Mr Langford had made a great contribution to the school and everyone was shocked and saddened to hear of his death.

Funeral arrangements were still being made as the Mercury went to press. More information is available from undertaker W J Farrier at 161 London Road, Dover, phone (01304) 201665.

Family flowers only are being requested, but donations can be made to the Demelza House Children's Hospice, through the undertaker.