Page 50 - Yachter Autumn 2021

50 OBITUARY
JOHN
MATHIAS
Professionally John was a highly respected anaesthetist who rose to head the anaesthetic department at
St Thomas’s hospital in London. He was a member of the RSYC for 37 years as co-owner of Etheria and subsequently Perchance to Dream, both were moored at Gins, where he was
a popular regular at the clubhouse. John was an enthusiastic sailor and loved being on the water. He sailed to Normandy and Brittany many times in the summer where he was frequently to be found dressing a crab for the enjoyment of the crew. He was hugely technically competent, regularly upgrading the navigational kit as technology progressed. Beside all this John was also a talented water colour painter and photographer, winning the club photographic competition more than once.
John was a charming, modest and generous gentleman, with a delightful sense of humour. He will be sadly missed.
REX WOODGATE
We were sorry to learn of the death on Tuesday 15th June 2021 of Rex Woodgate, a long-standing member and great friend of the Club.
Rex will be especially remembered for his contribution to club committees and, in particular to Cruising, for which he was given Honorary Life Membership of the Club.
He served as Captain of Cruising for seven years during which he developed the Club’s programme in a format still in use today.
Rex organised an annual crossing to St Vaast, which was popular not only as a destination, but also as the starting point
for further cruising. He will be particularly remembered for his mid-week cruises, of which he personally organised over 500. They visited all parts of the Solent and had a very popular following.
In recognition of his services to boating
and yachting he received an RYA Lifetime Commitment to Boating Award from HRH Princess Royal in the winter 2016/17. His working life was spent in the motor industry and he was one-time manager for the Aston Martin racing team, and later, head of the company’s operations in North America.
Flags were flown at half-mast at the Club and at Silverstone racetrack on the day of his funeral,Tuesday 6th July.
The Club’s thoughts and condolences are with Rex’s wife Joyce and their sons and wider family.
BobTrimble Commodore