A MAN who was honoured for his work with the youth of Bushey died on Tuesday.

Mr John Charles Gillett, 48, who helped hundreds of youngsters at St James' Open Youth Club and Bushey Rangers Boys Club, leaves a wife, Yvonne, a son, Stuart, and two daughters, Jolene and Katy.

A member of a family with long established Bushey connections, Mr Gillett has lived in Moatfield Road for the last 15 years.

He joined St James' Club in 1967 and was a past player and recent club leader of Bushey Rangers.

Mr Gillett was a former governor of Little Reddings School in Bushey.

In 1986, the Hertfordshire Association of Youth Clubs awarded him a certificate to record its appreciation for his help in the service of youth.

During Mr Gillett's stay in Watford General Hospital's Flaunden ward, where he had been since last November, more than 150 cards were sent to him from friends, colleagues and former club members.

Mr Gillett's father-in-law Mr Peter Henman said: "So many people knew John and sent cards to him. The door bell has not stopped ringing this week.

"He was a good Samaritan. He was a son rather than a son-in-law."

The son of the late Mr and Mrs Tom and Phyl Gillett, Mr Gillett grew up in Windmill Lane and attended Bushey Meads School.

He is the nephew of the eight Gillett Brothers, five of whom were in the Bushey Fire Brigade together in 1939. Gillett and Sons of Bournehall Road, Bushey, were buildings and decorators.

In recent years Mr Gillett worked as the supervisor of the London borough of Barnet emergency controllers.

In 1995, Mrs Betty Goodison MBE, who was in charge of the youth in the Bushey area during the post-war years, paid tribute to Mr Gillett in her book, Memoirs of 50 Years of Youth Work.

Having been in charge of London Road Youth Club, Bushey, Mrs Goodison ran the St James' Open Youth Club in Falconer Hall where she was helped by Mr Gillett.

In her book she said: "He took life seriously and worked hard. He might by angry and aggrieved at some injustice but he was never bitter.

"He organised football teams, discos and outings. I don't know how I could have managed in the early years without John."

A funeral service will be held at St James' Church, Bushey, on Thursday, January 29, followed by a cremation at West Herts Crematorium.

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