Mr Douglas Parkin.
THE former landlord of two Cowes pubs, Douglas Brooks Parkin, has died in Spain after a short illness.
Mr Parkin, who was 59, was the only son of Phyl and Don Parkin, of Kings Langley in Hertfordshire.
He went to school there and qualified as a building surveyor, but sport was his main passion, especially football and cricket.
He was extremely well known in the area, in sporting circles, and had spells in football playing in goal for Watford, Chelsea, Hitchin Town, St Albans City and Tring Town. After his playing career was ended through injury, he went on to have successful spells as manager of St Albans City, Tring Town and Berkhamstead.
His cricketing career saw him follow in his father’s footsteps, playing for Hertfordshire in the junior section and then at senior level for Kings Langley.
His work as a building surveyor brought him to the IW in 1990. He fell in love with the Island life and moved here, bringing his children, Nicole and Kevin, with him.
At this point he changed his career direction and ran the Anchor Inn in Cowes before moving on to become the landlord of The Woodvale in Gurnard.
During his many happy years on the Island, he enjoyed playing golf at Cowes Golf Club. He also became a grandad, to Sam and Alisha, through his daughter Nicole.
After selling The Woodvale in 2007, he moved to Marbella, Spain, to enjoy his retirement, playing golf .
In June this year he decided to move back to the IW to be close to his family but sadly was taken ill and never made the trip.
His funeral will be held at the IW Crematorium on Thursday at 1.30pm and then afterwards at The Woodvale, Gurnard. Flowers or donations can be sent to The Children’s Liver Disease Foundation to F. L. Lloyd, Bridge Road, Cowes.
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