Peter Vickers 1934-2007
A Tribute and Appreciation
Peter Vickers died on Tuesday 28th August 2007. Peter had suffered a serious illness for much of 2006, with many visits to Nobles and Liverpool Royal Hospital. Sadly, after early encouraging signs of recovery, his symptoms returned which, with other added complications, were just too much for him to cope with.
Peter and his wife Ann came to the Island from the Wirral in 1968, to continue his career with Barclays Bank, and became Onchan Branch Manager in the 1970s. They continued to raise their family here, one son and two daughters, finally settling in Greeba and have been here ever since.
Peter Vickers
Many visitors to this website will be familiar with the face of Peter Vickers, if not at Barclays Bank in the Precinct, Onchan, then as a founder member of Hospice, being one of the original six who set up the Steering Committee in 1983 and, following early retirement from Barclays Bank, Hospice Administrator from 1986 to 1999. During this time Peter was involved in all administrative matters and a variety of Committees.
Following the death of William Scholl CBE, Peter Vickers took the Share the Care Limited Chair, having been a director of the company from the earliest days. Peter not only brought his wise counsel and experience to the business but his special attribute of being prepared to listen. Earlier in 2006 he retired as a Director and many heartfelt thanks were expressed to Peter for his leadership and his loyal support.
Peter had many interests and participated in a number of activities, including the Probus Club, but perhaps he enjoyed his golf the most. He was a member of Castletown Golf Club, and a left-hander, so he could be seen easily from afar.
Care of the terminally ill was a cause always close to Peter, reaching back to his membership and active participation in IOM Anti Cancer where he was Hon. Treasurer, from which days Hospice Care evolved. Following his retirement from Barclays Bank, Peter became Hospice Care Administrator and, working from the Sydney Mount office, assumed much of the planning and building supervision responsibility for what became St. Bridget's in Kensington Road.
As Hospice Care's staff and the range of care grew, Peter proved himself to be the perfect choice of Administrator. Under Peter's Administration, Hospice was an efficient but gentle and considerate organisation. Quite apart from his in-depth knowledge of the hospice movement, and his administrative skills, he knew all the staff and volunteers well and, whatever his workload, his office door was always open to listen to those with a worry or concern, and where possible to find a solution. He was always patient where other were impatient, fair where others might be otherwise, wise, deeply respected and, for those close to him, inside or outside of Hospice matters, much loved. He will always be missed.
Our very deepest sympathy goes to his wife Ann, his son James, daughters Julie and Debbie and his six grandchildren.
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There was a service in the Royal Chapel of St. John’s on Thursday 6th September 2007 celebrating the life of Peter Vickers.