Please Donate

Mr Malcolm Wates

1 February 2022

In loving memory of Malcolm

Royal Star & Garter Resident

 

Malcolm was a much loved and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He had an infectious smile and was always a perfect gentleman, never complaining.

Born in 1934 in Perry Barr he showed an early love of music as a choirboy and started his lifelong support of Aston Villa after being taken to matches by his father.

Following his school years at King Edwards Aston and his National Service with the Royal Corps of Signals he went to University at Keble College Oxford. Here he met his future wife Margaret. They were married on 28th May 1960. Work took him to London, but when his company opened a branch in Birmingham, Malcolm was glad to return to his home town and moved to Dorridge in 1962. When his two daughters Julia and Louise were born they were both a great source of pride and pleasure. He joined St. Philips Church Dorridge, as his faith was always as very important to him. As a talented tenor he sang not only with the Church choir but also with many others. He was delighted when his granddaughter Shona was born. His work often took him abroad and he indulged Margaret’s love of foreign travel. At home he loved his garden – particularly his vegetables.

In retirement he worked as a volunteer at Solihull Hospital and also sang with the Wednesday Choir at Birmingham Cathedral. Sadly, his hearing failed very badly and in Spring 2018 he lost his sight overnight to giant cell arteritis. He started going to day care at the Royal Star and Garter which he really enjoyed until lock down. In April the Royal Star and Garter took him as a permanent resident. Thanks to the wonderful care he received there he kept his infectious smile – even trying to sing again!
He died peacefully and with dignity on 1st February 2022.

He leaves a great gap and will be sorely missed by his wife, Margaret, and by all his family and many friends.