Noel Seymour Sanders grew up in East Sheen, a south-west London suburb
between Putney and Richmond. After attending Mortlake C of E Primary School,
Noel went first to St. Mary's Secondary School and then to the London Nautical
School to prepare him for a career in the merchant navy and it was here that
learned the trombone in addition to the piano which he has played since the age
of 4. At school, he was a keen cricketer and rugby player and played local club
cricket from an early age, distinguishing himself as a fast bowler. He was also a
member of the 1st Mortlake Sea Scouts, particularly enjoying his time on the
Thames in their whaler.
On leaving school, Noel went to Southampton to study nautical engineering. It
was a sandwich course and his year in industry was spent travelling the world as an
engineer on Caltex oil tankers.
After his time at college, Noel started as a delivery driver for Stones in
Southampton where he met his first wife Wendy Jeanette Kirby (1967). They
married in 1968 and began their lives together in Freemantle, Southampton. Their
first child Marc arrived in 1972, and a year after their second son Paul was born.
In 1976 Noel purchased their family home in Southampton and little more than
three years later, their daughter Helen was born (1979).
Noel worked in construction with Wendy's father, Tuff Kirby and brother, Rob
Kirby. They worked together on the M27 and formed strong friendships with Bob
Railson (Geordie Bob) and Harry Dawkins (Harry the Hat). Many a shared story
came from this unruly rabble.
Noel progressed with his then chosen career and gained employment with the
Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
But Noel always had a great passion for cars and driving. He gave up working with
the CITB to follow his dream and secured employment working as a chauffeur in
Hursley for IBM. This continued for a number of years before embarking on
another adventure in the Sultanate of Oman. Here Noel worked for 2 years as the
manager of a crane company and was joined by his family.
Noel continued his love for sports and resumed another great love of his; cricket.
Recruiting employees from the yard to play in the scorching desert. Even the yard
dog Kato would join in the odd game collecting the ball (Mad dogs and
Englishmen). Many a long afternoon in the Arabian Desert was spent working
away from the office, where both Noel and Rob could be found on the squash
court smashing balls and on occasion rackets in a bid to gain one-upmanship.
Upon his return from the Middle East, Noel continued his career as a chauffeur.
He worked for Casper and his family for whom he worked for over a decade. Here
he enjoyed travelling to many horse dressage events and vintage car rallies (Monte
Carlo and Mille Miglia in Italy). Noel travelled across Europe which resulted in
many stories being told to his captivated children and later, his enthralled
grandchildren.
Alongside Noel's dedication to hard work came his lifelong passion for music.
Noel joined the Hampshire & Dorset Military Band as a trombone player and also
made many popular appearances on percussion.
This is where Noel met his current wife Christina and they married in 1992. They
settled in their home in Basingstoke where they have lived for over 29 years and
recently celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. During this time Noel started
his own company, NCS Chauffeur Services that ran for 20 years driving a host of
celebrities, dignitaries and VIP's. This then led to working as a chauffeur for Tim
and his family. Noel enjoyed his 10 years working with the family and even helped
Isabella complete the 3 peaks challenge by providing a support vehicle. He would
often talk of his trips to Switzerland and Scotland delivering the family dogs
which fast became his favourite customers.
In later life, Noel who was not one for a quiet retirement enjoyed being a lolly pop
man as he had a natural affinity with children. This was incredibly clear to see
when he was surrounded by his 3 grandchildren Coral, Sophie and Jenson who all
adored him.
Noel's love for music has always been apparent. The trombone was his biggest
passion of all and in later life, despite suffering a heart attack, cardiac arrest and
cancer didn't dampen his desire and enthusiasm to play. For the last 10 years he
was an active member of Tadley Concert Brass, Hannington Silver Band and
South East Berks Concert Band.
All of us that knew Noel will know how amazing the British heart foundation
were for him and without them we wouldn't have enjoyed another 8 years of time
with him. It is for this reason we have chosen them for any donations.
Noel has passed leaving a legacy of laughter, love and kindness. We look around
today and see he is with us, in his family, his friends, and all the people he has
inspired and held dear - in all these people, he lives on.