Deaths prior to January of this year can be found in archive copies of The Corinthian
Orla sadly died on 2 April 2026. A full obituary will be published in due course.
Antony sadly died on 10 March 2026.
Claude sadly died on 13 July 2025.
Anthony sadly died on 7 December 2025.
Angus sadly died on 5 January 2026 aged 91. Devoted to Stowe Angus had many tales to tell, and many happy memories of his time there.
Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent John Fisher Burns, a towering figure in international journalism and a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, passed away on March 12, 2026, in Cambridge, England, at the age of 81, from pneumonia after a long battle with cancer. He was widely regarded as the "dean of American foreign correspondents" and often described as the "consummate Foreign Desk fireman" for his ability to quickly respond to global hotspots. Known for his courageous and thorough reporting from some of the world's most volatile regions, Burns dedicated four decades to The New York Times, earning a reputation for uncompromising integrity and physical bravery despite his British origins.
Jeremy sadly died on Friday 20th March 2026.
Robin sadly passed away on 17 March 2026.
Dr Brown passed away peacefully on 28 February 2026 at the age of 92. He started working at Stowe in 1964, initally part time, and later became Stowe's GP until 1994. After his retirement, he volunteered for Stowe House Preservation Trust as a house guide and was an active member of the Stowe Community.
Dr Brown’s Funeral Service will take place in Stowe Parish Church on Friday 20 March, at 1.30pm, followed by a reception in the Marble Hall at Stowe. All are welcome, please register here if you plan to attend, to help give an indication of numbers for catering: https://forms.office.com/e/FVnXEM7DZW
Parking will be available on the North Front for guests. There is limited parking near Stowe Church for those unable to walk long distances. Step free access to the Marble Hall is available via the SHPT welcome centre on the South Front, using our lifts. Please telephone the OS Office on 01280 818349 if you have any queries relating to access.
Chris sadly passed away on 2 February 2026.
Ken Edwards (Aug 1937 - Feb 2026) friend of Stowe whose lifelong bond with the Stowe landscape and community spanned more than eight decades.
Ken first arrived in Dadford as a young boy during the Second World War, finding in Stowe’s gardens an extraordinary playground and sanctuary. His childhood memories of wandering freely among the lakes, temples, and woodland – paddling in the Eleven Acre Lake, exploring the Bourbon Tower, and adventuring across an overgrown, enchanted landscape—remained some of the happiest of his life.
After returning to London in 1946, Ken never lost his affection for Stowe. As an adult he would often come back, bringing his parents and later his sons to share the beauty and nostalgia of the place that had shaped him.
In 1994, Ken returned to the area and began volunteering with the National Trust at Stowe—a role he embraced wholeheartedly for over twenty-five years. As a garden steward and later a knowledgeable and much-admired guide, he welcomed countless visitors, sharing stories of the landscape with warmth and an ever-growing depth of understanding. His enthusiasm for Stowe was infectious; whether helping lost families, rescuing a stranded cow (!), or leading tours, Ken brought dedication and boundless knowledge to everything he did.
Ken will be remembered for his gentle nature, and his unwavering affection for the gardens that shaped his earliest years. Stowe was, as he often said, “the most exciting place a child could grow up”.
He will be fondly remembered by many in the Stowe Community including Old Stoics who enjoyed his garden tours on Old Stoic Day each year where he generously gave up his time and shared his interesting and detailed knowledge of the gardens.
Richard sadly passed away on Wednesday 4th February 2026 in the early hours of the morning at the age of 79 after a long but very couragous fight against cancer. Despite his illness he continued to live life to the full playing golf and travelling until very rrecently.
He was at Stowe from 1960 - 1965 in Chandos House and excelled particularly in sport. He was Captain of Cricket, Rugby and Fives and was one of the 1964 Unbeaten Rugby 1st XV team.
Chris very sadly passed away on December 23, 2025.
Chris was always interested in what was happening at Stowe, such as the Change 100 program to which he donated. Stowe made a great impact on his life and was always remembered fondly.
Ian very sadly died on 5th January.
Ian was a proud Old Stoic and was followed at Stowe by both children and grandchildren.
Gillian passed away peacefully on Monday 29 December 2025. Her funeral service will take place in Stowe Parish Church on Tuesday 27 January 2026, at 10am, followed by a reception in the Marble Hall at Stowe. All those who knew Gillian are warmly invited to attend. Please keep in mind that the Marble Hall can be cold during the winter months and dress accordingly.
Parking will be available on the North Front for guests. There is limited parking near Stowe Church for those unable to walk long distances. Step free access to the Marble Hall is available via the SHPT welcome centre on the South Front, using our lifts. Please telephone the OS Office on 01280 818349 if you have any queries.
Mike passed away peacefully during the night on 25 November 2025.
He was a long-standing and active member of the OS Golfing Society, a proud winner of the President’s Putter in 1960, a member of the 1962 Halford Hewitt team that reach the final against Oundle and part of the winning team in 1979 against Marlborough.
Barry sadly passed away on 14th November 2025.
Ian sadly died in May 2025.
Oliver died following a long illness on Tuesday 21 October 2025. Oliver was a former Conservative MP, having represented Plymouth Sutton and Devonport from 2010 to 2017. His death was announced in the House of Commons yesterday, followed by many tributes.
Obituaries have been published by BBC News, Hello Magazine and The Independent.
Oliver was a supportive Old Stoic and regularly returned to Stowe. He also supported our regional events in Devon.
Oliver's Funeral Service will take place at 12 noon on 4 December 2025 at St Peter’s Church, Alvescot, OX18 2PT. No flowers please but donations to Headway, Plymouth, PL1 4RJ. Oliver's Memorial service will take place on 6 February 2026, at 2pm, at St Andrew's Plymouth. A full obituary will appear in The Corinthian.
Paul died at home on 19th September, 2025 after a long illness, stoically born. He was 72.
Patrick sadly died on 12 June 2024.
Mark Smith-Bingham sadly passed away on 1st September 2025.
Jonathan was a History teacher at Stowe, passed away on 17th August after a short illness.
He was a member of the British Puppet Guild for many years and taught students how to use puppets at the school.
He will be sadly missed.
Donald sadly died at home on 1 June 2025.
Trevor sadly passed away on 3 June 2025.
Sally died peacefully at home in Barton-on-Sea on 15th June 2025.
Michael sadly passed away on 27 July 2025.
Michael passed away on 6 July 2025, aged 87. Whilst at Stowe, Michael taught Mathematics, Physics, Applied Mechanics and Surveying and was Housemaster of Walpole between 1972-1978. He held responsibilities for Under 14 Rugby, Shooting, CCF(Captain) & Careers. Michael was Editor of The Stoic. After Stowe, Michael went on to be Headmaster of Gordon's School, Woking between 1978 – 1983, followed by Headmaster of The Royal Hospital School, Ipswich from 1983 - 1995. Michael served as General Secretary of the Boarding Schools' Association from 1995 - 1998.
An obituary for Michael was published in The Telegraph on 15 July and is available here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2025/07/15/michael-kirk-headmaster-royal-hospital-school-obiturary/
Fingers passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday 24 June, aged 76. Click here to read a tribute to Fingers written by Dr Anthony Wallersteiner, Head.
Fingers served on the Old Stoic Society Committee from 1995-2015 and continued to support on the OS Networking, Marketing and Events Committee until 2023. He served as Chairman of the Old Stoic Society from 1996-1999. His brother, David Fingleton (Chatham 59), was an Old Stoic and pre-deceased him in 2006. His sister, Elizabeth, passed away in 2020. He is survived by his nephews, James and Andrew and their families, together with his godchildren. Obituaries appeared in The Times, The Telegraph and The Observer.
Fingers' funeral has now taken place. A Memorial Service will also be held on Saturday 20 September, at 11.00am in Stowe Chapel. Please click here to book.
If you would like to submit your memories of Fingers for The Corinthian and the Stowe Archive, please email oldstoic@Stowe.co.uk
Nick sadly passed away on 16 April 2025.
James passed away in late 2019.
Mary passed away on 18 May 2025, aged 96. Mary dedicated her life to sharing her passion for horses and riding. Working alongside her late brother, Theodore, she helped shape the childhoods of hundreds of children, teaching them not only how to ride but also how to care for horses and ponies. Many Old Stoics will remember riding with Mary and Theodore whilst they were at Stowe.
Mary's Funeral Service will be held in Stowe Church on Monday 9 June 2025, at 2.30pm. Parking will be at the Old National Trust Car Park. Guests should walk past the Temple of Concord & Victory to Stowe Church.
Passed peacefully at home 1st May 2025.
Ronald sadly passed away on 15th March.
Ronald Atkins obituary | Jazz | The Guardian
John Cassidy passed away peacefully on Monday, 28th April 2025, aged 86 years old.
Dearly loved father to Dan, Caroline, and Laura, and Grandad to Sebastien, Amanda, and Matheo. John will be remembered and greatly missed by his family, friends and the many children and adults he taught over the years.
The service will be held at The Windmills Natural Green Burial, Hartwell Road, Northampton NN7 2JT on Tuesday, May 13th, at 10.30 am, followed by a wake at Towcester Mill Brewery, Chantry Lane, Towcester NN12 6YY. All Welcome.