Well-known John will be missed by many
A FORMER police inspector who will be remembered for being a larger than life character has died, aged 76.
John Shaw, of High Road, Barrowby, was a familiar face around Grantham and he could not be missed not only because of his busy social life but also because he was 6ft 6.
His wife, Ann Shaw, said everyone will remember him as being larger than life and full of energy with a great sense of humour.
She said: “If I went to the market with him I had to leave him because he would stop all the time to talk to people.”
John was born on August 1 1933 in Scunthorpe. He and his family moved around Lincolnshire before settling in North Hykeham, where he met Ann. She said: “I was walking my dog one day when a policeman appeared at my side. He introduced himself and it went on from there.”
John was sent to Cyprus to work just six weeks later but when, after two years, he returned they married at North Hykeham Church on August 6 1958. They had two children Gail and Angus and two grandchildren William and Emily. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary two years ago.
A few years after their marriage John was promoted and came to Grantham as a sergeant. In 1979 he was promoted again, this time to Inspector. He worked at Dishforth Police Training Centre for a while but returned to Grantham as rural inspector shortly before his retirement from the police force in 1985. After that he had a short spell in the prison service before becoming bursar of The King’s School and a planning enforcement officer for South Kesteven District Council from where he retired in 1996.
John also had a hectic social life and his greatest passion was rugby, he played and followed it for many years. He also enjoyed other sports and was a member of Grantham Squash Club and Belton Park Golf Club for around 40 years.
John had a passion for performing and was involved with the Grantham Singers, Grantham Operatic Society and Stamford Shakespeare Company. He was also Past Master of the William Peter’s Masonic Lodge.
Ann said: “I will miss everything about him. He lived a very full life but was very much family person.”
John died at Grantham Hospital on July 14 after a short illness.
l Obituary: page 32.
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