It is with regret we record the death of former businessman Richard Gent at the age of 83 who passed away peacefully in hospital after a short illness. Richard was born at Bolton (near Appleby) on 8th November 1933 and was the last survivor of a family of four with two brothers and a sister. The family moved around this area during his childhood – Heighington, Bishop Auckland, Darlington. Richard was a fitter at North Road Shops, Darlington. He was called up for National Service serving in the Navy, based at Plymouth. Not a lover of alcohol he swapped his rum rations for his duty watch and managed to get home some weekends to play his beloved cricket at Darlington R.A. Club. His love of dancing was how he met up with his wife Margaret whom he had known for years as she lived in Redworth. They eventually married at St. Michael’s Church, Heighington and had two children, Anthony and Alison. Richard was employed then at Bakelite (now Ineos) but when the Village Shop came on the market Richard and Margaret decided to buy it. They ran the Heighington shop for nearly ten years moving to Aycliffe Village to taken over the Post Office. Their next move was to Tindale Crescent Post Office, then moving south to the Sportsman Pub in Brownhills, West Midlands partners with their close friends, Frank and Ann Chisem Ten years later they moved back to the North East to retire and live in Newton Aycliffe. Richard loved to be busy so worked as a delivery driver then on to what was his favourite past-time, helping his dear friend and fellow Rotarian, Don Walker, in the butcher’s shop. Richard was a keen member of Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club and served as President in 2003-4. He was always involved in club activities and was an able Sports Officer. He loved sport, you name it he tried it, but Cricket was his main game, then football, both playing and refereeing. He also enjoyed golf and bowls, and was in darts and domino teams. Richard led a very active life, and as his friends say, he’s probably organising a cricket match or some other sporting activity wherever he is now. “One word describes Richard – ‘Indefatigable’ – he was a bundle of energy and astounded everyone by his enthusiasm and stamina” said his friend Syd Howarth.