Geoffrey THORPE - WILLETT

Uncle Geof you are truly missed, we have wonderful memories of you when you came to visit us especially the day you took us all to Hutton Le Hole for a picnic by the little stream we had such a fun day. Love you Uncle Geof

Uncle Geof, you will be truly missed. We have lots of wonderful memories with you, my favourite being when you came to visit and you took me to South Gare to watch the sunrise. I remember us seeing all fisherman fishing and we were laughing as one of them had reeled his fish up and a seal had bitten half the fish off. It’s moments like these that I’ll cherish in my heart forever. Sad that we never got to see you before you passed. Love you Uncle Geof.

My dearest Godfather Uncle Geof you are truly missed. I have a lifetime of memories to treasure from tickle fights when I was little to you pushing me up a hill at Hutton Le Hole. You are inspirational and achieved so much in life.
You will always be my brave and courageous Uncle who I look up to. Love you, Carpe Diem

The day he passed away - It’s hard to find the words to be honest, I’m so sad to hear my Dads twin brother, my Uncle & Godfather has passed away. You were my adventurous, cool, inspirational and very special Uncle Geof, you’re now at peace. I’m truly gutted I never got to see you one last time
Love you, Carpe Diem 😘

I purchased a pair of Twin Tiger Tankards to commemorate our 60th birthday. I had them custom engraved, one with Capt. Geof and the other with Capt. Phil, along with our dates of birth and times of birth.

The plan was to reunite with Geof and share a celebratory drink, but sadly, me and Geof never had that chance to meet up again.

Funeral Eulogy

I will first apologise that I don’t speak French, neither English, but Yorkshire, so at times it may be difficult to understand me, and probably ‘Lost in Translation’. I will also try to speak slow !

Geof was born 30th July 1962 at 1.05pm, 10 minutes before me, in Middlesbrough Parkside Maternity Hospital, as you could imagine he would never let that one rest, that he was born first and 10 minutes before me, that went on for years, but he started to conveniently forget that when he realised that he was 10 minutes older first when we got to 30, 40 and 50 years old.

I think it may be easier to talk around some of these photo’s, which is a 60th Birthday card I had made for Geof.

First one is the Silver Cross pram, Geof was always a demanding baby wanting to be fed first, so Anut Edith was given the task of feeding him, so I’m also pretty sure Geof got the best spot in the pram !

The picture of us in Sowesters I don’t even remember wearing, A Sou'wester is a traditional form of collapsible oilskin with a rain hat that is longer at the back than the front to protect the neck fully.

Father Xmas came to Zetland primary school, Headmaster Mr Carr dressed up, we looked chuffed that Santa came to school.

When mam use to ask one of us to go and get a few bits of shopping at corner shop, I used to say yes with no conditions, but Geof used to say yes, with ‘whats in it for me’, which meant can I have a few pennies to buy some sweets.

In the 1970’s there was a USA TV programme called Starsky & Hutch, and our next door neighbour used to call us this, especially to Geof she called him ‘Blonde’, which was a term he never liked. The picture at Brimham Rocks, Yorkshire, reminds me of this time.

The next picture is both of us in Army Cadet uniform, which was something we enjoyed doing weekly after school on a couple of nights a week, this provided us with some discipline, comradery, and grounding. Geof eventually joined the Royal Signals as a Radio Engineer, I didn’t, my path was different.

Geof met Andy in Afghanistan whilst Geof was on reporting duties and Andy was on Army duties, this was a meeting in one a particular place in the world that could only happen by chance.

In 2005 Geof was nominated for the Rory Peck award, although he never won, I was so proud of his achievements, especially in the war zones he worked.

There were some family get togethers, so mam used to get the Olympus trip camera out and start clicking, so a couple of these photos are when we able to meet at Mam and Dads garden in gatherings.

A photo of Geof with his 1962 Series II land rover, which he bought whilst in Malta

After many years of travelling with his work Geof finally rested in France and working for Airbus, where he meet his wife Lior, Geof was all very matter of fact, he would say it as it was regardless of any thought for others, I’m sure those here who know him see that trait, however Lior somehow managed to turn Geof round to a more calming nature. Geof was also very generous and would put himself out or give gifts regardless of value if he knew it would help others.

Geof wasn’t just a brother he was a twin brother, and that at times means something special, he is also one of five brothers, Dave, Andy, Geof, Myself & Ian, who we unfortunately lost tragically around 20 years ago.

Both me and Geof seem to share one common saying, Sie La vie, that is life, and that’s twins for you.

Geoff was my brother, a legend, an adventurer, larger than life and an award winning journalist but more than that he was a person who would impact your life in a positive way whenever he passed through. His influence on many people’s lives is what separates him from the ordinary. RIP dearest Geoff, until we meet again 🙏🏽❤️

I met Geoffrey in 2008 at LSE when NOC was created. Lior and I integrated the team at the same time. I was suprised and sad when I heard the news this morning, and even if I left the team a long time ago, I have a lot of memories with Geof. His famous "hello Chaps!",I was also impressed by his former life as a journalist, and delighted to hear his stories. I remember his special laugh and the strong guy he was. My deepest condolences to his family.

Je viens d'apprendre la triste nouvelle aujourd'hui et j'en suis profondément triste.
Je garderai toujours un excellent souvenir de Geoff, en particulier sa franchise, son entièreté et son rire.
Mes pensées vont à Lior, Eliott et à ses proches dans ce moment douloureux.

I served in the Royal Signals with TW in Blandford in the 80s. What a character he was, straightforward, bold, confident, professional, reliable, trustworthy (I could go on all day). Geoff got out of the Army and we lost touch then I bumped into him in a random bar in Cyprus and it was like we had seen each other every day. I always thought that we would bump into each other again on another day, maybe in Redka or at AvN. Knowing how infectious his gregariousness, humour and drive are I'm sure that he has left a massive hole in many peoples lives. RIP Geoff and see you on the other side.