Geoffrey Toothill

Geoffrey Toothill 1934 – 2021 

The passing of Geoff is also a landmark for the Rotary Club of Bradford, for we were formed in 1922, when Bradford was renowned worldwide as “Worstedopolis”, the wool capital of the world. Geoff’s demise brings to an end a long line of ‘wool men’ who were members of our club. For part of his working life he was with Stroud Riley, and Oswald Stroud was a President of our Club in the 1950’s and his son Roy was also a member. Geoff told many stories about his early days in the Bradford wool trade where he met and married “the most beautiful girl in the mill”, Audrey, his partner for life. 

National Service interrupted his working life but his musical abilities enabled him to get a posting to the Central Band for the duration, thus avoiding the travails usually associated with military service. Resuming his career in textiles he became an overseas sales representative, regularly visiting South Africa and Beirut as well as other parts of the Middle and Far East. Later he went on to set up his own textile import/export business Lamoge International in which he continued to work until his final illness. Over many years old clients in Greece, the Middle East and Japan became personal friends whom he met regularly and these friendships probably explain why he continued to enjoy travelling and never actually retired from business. He was particularly fond of Japan. After one of his business friends over there died, he was invited to the friend's daughter’s wedding and he was very proud to have been asked to give the bride away in her late father’s place. 

Joining the Rotary Club of Bradford in 2000, he was initially unhappy, feeling that he was not really drawn into activities and that some members were clannish and remote compared perhaps with other organisations with which he was concerned. Nevertheless he persevered (after all he was a salesman) and as we know became a very popular member. He was President of our Club in 2005/06 and was made a Paul Harris Fellow in 2009.

He was a keen and generous supporter of social events and particularly Club trips where he was usually very well dressed and sporting a cap and scarf - even in summer. His musical ability and piano playing in particular, was a feature of his membership, playing for Charters, Christmas Lunch and social events like our Homespun entertainment evenings. His last club musical performance was to an early Club Zoom meeting in the first Lockdown in 2020. For many years he was our speaker finder and subsequently an excellent Almoner – a post he initiated in the Club and in which he was so ably assisted by his dear Audrey. To her and his daughters and family we offer our deepest and sincere condolences. The Rotary Club of Bradford was lucky to have his service for over twenty years and we will miss a sincere Rotarian, a gentleman and the last of our Club’s true ‘wool men’. 

Geoff Kenure (With thanks to several members and particularly Bob Goring)