Tributes paid to Northwich academic (From Warrington Guardian)

Tributes paid to Northwich academic

TRIBUTES have been paid to a Weaverham-born academic following his death in Scarborough earlier this month.

Former Sir John Deane's Grammar School pupil John Geoffrey Sharps, who was known widely as Geoffrey, died on January 6 and friends and family have contacted the Guardian to pay their respects to the 69-year-old.

Fellow Sir John Deane's Grammar School pupil John Tasker said: "At school Geoffrey excelled in the arts and sciences and could have chosen either at university. Later, as a scholar, he was meticulous and exceedingly conscientious."

But Geoffrey, who previously taught English literature at Mid-Cheshire College in Hartford, was a man of many interests. His widow Heather said: "We met in 1963 when we were both studying at Queen's University, Belfast. One side of Geoffrey was quiet and studious, such as when he was researching his book Mrs Gaskell's Observation and Invention.

"It was a marathon study and he was rightly proud of it but he also had another side. He was a member of many educational societies but enjoyed watching television and going to the cinema.

"We both loved travelling together, especially to France, Germany and Italy."

Geoffrey, who was cremated in Scarborough, will have his ashes interred at St John The Baptist Church, Hartford, tomorrow, Thursday, at 2.30pm. Friends and family are welcome to attend.