John Cuthbertson Dye was born on 3rd January 1913 in Sunderland, he was always proud of his roots in the North East. He was to live a full life in the 100 years here on earth. 

 

John was to have a number of “lives” as it were. In his early years he worked in local industry, having left school at 13 years of age. His career was interrupted by War and he was to spend two years in the Western Desert as part of the 8th Army RAF support unit. He served a total of almost 7 years, mostly abroad. After the war he studied to become a  school teacher –majoring in Mathematics and Physical Education. He was also a football referee, able to referee matches at the highest level. Once he refereed a cup final involving his own favourite team Sunderland.  Sunderland did win, but he was fair to both sides - at least that is what is said in hindsight! The fitness that he gained from such interests kept him going past his 100th birthday!

John married Edith with whom he had two sons John and Melvyn, following the death of Edith in 1978 John remarried Catherine in 1985 enjoying seven happy years before she also passed away leaving him again a widower. 

John was a likeable and determined character, who instilled love and commitment into the lives of his sons and his grandchildren. He was independent and strong character who followed his beliefs right through to the end of his life, attending worship at Rowlett Road Baptist Church in Corby almost every Sunday until the very last few months of his life.

John retired from teaching in his sixties, but did not retire from work as many did aged 65, instead he studied for the ministry, and became a Baptist minister in 1982, aged 67. John then lead the church at Bourne in Lincolnshire, for 5 years or so. John moved to Great Oakley near Corby where he had a second ministry at the Ecumenical Project on the Danesholme Estate in Corby from 1992-2004.

Aged 91 John finally retired, but continued initially to preach in surrounding churches - though this became increasingly difficult due to poor eyesight that prevented him driving.  Eventually his eyesight prevented him reading his notes well enough to preach.  John continued to live in his 4 bedroom detached house alone, coping quite well for over 20 years before he passed away suddenly aged 100 years and 13 days at home on 16th January 2013. His sons John and Melvyn will always remember him with affection.

Peter Strong