Eric Galdes pictured with his grand-daughter Joni, who is now aged 21.
A FORMER aircraft mechanic, Eric Galdes, who was a man of deep spiritual conviction, has died, aged 90.
Born in Plymouth, Mr Galdes spent his youth wandering the country lanes of the West Country, admiring the countryside.
At the age of 17, he voluntarily signed up and trained as an aircraft mechanic in the RAF.
Mr Galdes was deeply affected by his wartime experiences and it coloured his attitude to life, which meant his focus was never on worldly achievement, accolade or monetary award.
Instead, Mr Galdes was devoted to caring for others less well off than himself.
He moved to the IW in 1953 after honeymooning on the Island with his late wife, Kitty.
He spent most of his working life at Saunders Roe and later worked as a crane driver at the shipyard, J. S. White’s, Cowes.
Mr Galdes was a devout Roman Catholic and he was a parishioner at St Thomas of Canterbury Church, Cowes, and later at Saint Saviour’s Church, Totland.
Mr Galdes also enjoyed gardening and spent time working in the grounds of the Convent of the Cross, East Cowes.
After the death of his wife in 1990, Mr Galdes became secretary of the Widowers’ Society in Newport and he was an active member of the long-established West Country Club.
Although a West Country man born and bred, in his heart he became an Islander, having spent 55 years of his life on the IW.
Latterly he lived at Granville Rise, Totland, before moving to the Isle of Skye with his daughter, Mary, and grandchildren, Joni and Jamie, in 2008.
Mr Galdes leaves behind his daughter and two grandchildren.
His funeral was held in the Isle of Skye last month and he will be laid to rest, with his wife, at Northwood Cemetery.
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