Mr Peter Durham.
MUSICIAN and former shop keeper, Peter Durham, has died, aged 72.
Born in Sutton, Surrey, Mr Durham, of Popham Road, Shanklin, worked in farming before he was called up for National Service in 1959 and served as a dog handler with the Royal Veterinary Corps.
After service in Malaysia, he followed his parents, Win and Reg, to the Island, where he worked for greetings card manufacturers, J. Arthur Dixon. He married his wife, Ed, in 1965, and they ran the Village Idiot shop in Shanklin Old Village for 37 years, selling souvenirs and acting as a coach tour booking agent for Shotters, Moss Motors and Southern Vectis.
After learning to play the drums, he accompanied Island musicians for more than 40 years, making many lifelong friendships in the process.
Mr Durham’s talent and good nature meant he was always in demand, playing alongside many of the country’s leading musicians and entertainers.
They included jazz stars Alan Barnes and Don Lusher, as well as TV favourites Frankie Howerd and Les Dennis.
Mr Durham inherited his parents’ charitable ways and he regularly donated funds to a number of charities, including the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.
He leaves his wife, two daughters, Annie and Kate, sister, Jean, and brother, David.
His funeral will be held at the IW Crematorium, Whippingham, next Friday, August 6, at 12.45pm.
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