Friends of St Mary's

We are sad to announce the death of Dr Trevor Lane, who passed away on Thursday 29th December.

Trevor was universally popular with pupils who were privileged to be taught by him; he was also held in the highest regard by his colleagues both past and present and will be remembered for his strong intellect, patience, sharp wit and his ability to explain the most difficult of concepts and ideas with clarity and simplicity.

He joined the College in 1991 following completion of his PhD in Organic Chemistry and PGCE at Liverpool University and during the subsequent years progressed to positions as Head of Chemistry and Senior Teacher in charge of Curriculum Development.

Trevor had been ill for some time and was admitted to hospital shortly before Christmas, where his condition deteriorated. He leaves his wife Karen (our Head of Lower School) and son Stephen (a Year 10 pupil at the school). Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time.

Sadly, former St. Mary's College pupil, Dominic Sheeran (27 years) passed away unexpectedly, on Sunday 6th November 2011.

Dominic's funeral will take place at Sacred Heart RC Church, Ainsdale, at 12 noon on Thursday 17th November 2011.

All members of the St. Mary's community are welcome.

We were sad to learn that Leo Howard passed away at the age of 75 on 5th February, following a period of illness.

A former St. Mary’s pupil, Leo returned to the College in 1960 to teach Physics and stayed at St. Mary’s until his retirement in 1992. He became Head of Lower School and was very active in chaplaincy. Leo was always a great witness of his faith and was a caring, supportive and very popular member of staff.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Leo's family and friends at this time – May he rest in peace.

The death has occurred at the age of 74 of St Mary's old boy, Raymond Francis (Ray) O’Brien, who will be best remembered for a long career in local government in which he held a series of high-level appointments.

He was born in February 1936, in south Liverpool, but brought up in Litherland and educated at the College from where he won a scholarship to study classics at St. Edmund Hall Oxford. He held a lifelong admiration for the Christian Brothers and the education they gave him.

After his National Service in the Royal Navy he graduated from Oxford with a law degree before beginning his distinguished association with local government.

His first appointment was at Cheshire County Council where he qualified as an accountant.

Ray then moved to Nottinghamshire County Council as Assistant County Treasurer and became its first Chief Executive following the reorganisationof local authorities by the Heath government.

In 1978 he returned to home ground as Chief Executive of Merseyside County Council where he faced the challenge of the severe economic decline of the once-thriving area.

But there was a very happy event during this period– the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1982, when Ray greeted the Papal party in his capacity as Deputy Lord Lieutenant and was also asked by the then Archbishop, Derek Worlock, to read at Liverpool Cathedral’s Papal Mass.

After the Government’s abolition of Merseyside County Council, Ray moved to Solihull and subsequently to London to take further senior executive positions, first as Chief Executive of Severn Trent Water Authority and then a similar post for Fimbra, a financial regulatory authority.

Ray later moved back to Merseyside where he used his considerable strategic investment and development experience as Chairman of Speke Garston Development Company, which eventually became Liverpool Land Development Company.

Ray O’Brien with the Fergus Gower Adams cup in 1954.

He was recognised for services to Merseyside in this capacity, being awarded the CBE in the Queen’s 2000 Birthday Honours.

On a personal note, Ray’s interests were wide-reaching, including the classics, reading, gardening and music. He was also famed for his generous hospitality.

A particular passion throughout this life was sport, both professional and amateur, and he was a lifelong supporter of Liverpool FC.  In his earlier years he was a keen participant himself, playing rugby to county level for Staffordshire and also captaining Chester RUFC for 3 years.  He also played cricket to a good club standard.

Ray died peacefully in his sleep on May 3rd after suffering from several illnesses in recent years.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Wendy, and their four children -Martin, Jacqui, Neil and Kathryn - and eight grandchildren.