BLODS veteran dies

Wild horses would not have stopped Tom from accepting the invitation to attend the launch party when the De La Warr Pavilion re-opened after its 8m Lottery-funded refurbishment last October.

Despite being on two sticks following an operation, Tom was revelling in an occasion celebrating a milestone in the life of a building with which he had been closely associated for so long.

He told the Observer then: "I have known this place since 1947.

"My first show here was in 1947. It was the Mikado. It is still my favourite."

Tom Mead served the BLODS with devotion, both as an active cast member and as an officer. He was chairman for 15 years and was honoured with a medal for his 50 years of service to light opera.

Tom's other great interest was Bexhill Horticultural Society, which he had served for many years.

He was born at Thornton Heath in Surrey. His association with Bexhill began in 1939, arriving on the day that war started.

He returned to the town to make it his home in 1944 and he and his late wife, Stephanie, were married in 1948.

Tom had began his working life in London at the age of 17 in men's millinery and in consequence had an extensive knowledge of hats and gloves.

He had worked for local engineering firm Hamiltons before becoming an agricultural machinery salesman but will be best remembered in Bexhil for his 25 years selling new cars for former local Ford dealership Hollingsworths.

At the time of his retirement he was sales executive at the firm's Bexhill garage in Terminus Road.

In addition to his partner, Monica, Tom leaves daughter Janet and son Clive and four grandchildren.

Following Tom's last wishes as a life-long Gilbert and Sullivan lover, his family hope to arrange for his coffin to be borne into Eastbourne Crematorium for Tuesday's 9.15am service to the music of The Lord High Executioner from his favourite Mikado and to leave to Hail to Poetry from the Pirates Of Penzance.