Tributes have been paid to a well known teacher who helped thousands of young people in Spalding.
Graham Symonds was the former deputy head of Spalding Grammar School where he spent more than three decades.
He died aged 82 on December 8 at Tulip Hospice after battling lung disease.
The Pinchbeck resident was born and raised in Sutton Coldfield before studying at Leeds Carnegie University in Leeds where he met his wife of 57 years, Jenny.
The pair moved to Spalding in 1970 after Graham got the job as a PE teacher at the town’s grammar school.
He became the deputy head in the mid 1980s and helped oversee a host of milestones including Princess Anne’s visit for its 400th anniversary celebrations in 1988, the building of the sports hall and the sixth form accepting girls for the first time.
Organising the school’s annual ski trip led to a passion for the sport, alongside a host of others including rugby.
“I think a lot of people would remember that he took pupils out in all weathers,” said Graham’s son Dominic.
“Nothing was ever rained-off with dad. You’d be out doing laps around the field in the driving snow.
“He was always very proud of his pupils and their achievements.
“They included the likes of Stuart Storey (an Olympic runner and later commentator.)
“Dad was always very humble and generous. He was very good at seeing the best in people and encouraging them, which I guess is the main quality for a teacher.”
Outside of school and sports Graham was a keen dramatist, a member of the Holbeach Gilbert and Sullivan Society and chair of South Holland Singers.
“He often performed the lead roles and directed on occasions,” said Dominic who credits his dad’s love of music and particularly piano playing for his own love of music and current role as Professor of Musical Theatre at the University of Lincoln. “He always enjoyed performing with mum and the singers.
“Dad always liked being involved with the Rotary Club of South Holland and helping raise funds for their good causes.
“He had a great sense of humour and was very encouraging all the time.
“He was very, perhaps because of his sporting background, but he also had lot of liberal values in that he much appreciated teamwork, altruism and community.”
Graham leaves behind Jenny, two sons Dominic and Ben, daughter Becky, eight grandchildren and the family dog Barney.
“Dad was absolutely head over heels in love with Mum,” Dominic said. “In the hospice his main concern was that we’d look after her.”
Graham’s funeral is due to take place at St Mary’s Church, Pinchbeck on Wednesday, January 7.
