A tribute to John Sargent
This is an article provided by Tax Help for Older People.
John Sargent, born in 1930, a long-standing and valued Tax Help for Older People volunteer, sadly passed away in July. Married to Joy for 65 years, John had 3 children, Penny, Katie and Richard.
John, at 93 years, continued to support us and our beneficiaries, until May this year, despite failing physical health. Described by his daughter, Penny, as quiet and humble, tenacious, and a “champion of the individual and of small businesses”.
Born at St Thomas’ Hospital, John was raised initially in North London and then in Purley. At the age of 11, John won a scholarship to Caterham School, Surrey, where he thrived.
John devoted his life to helping other people, both as an accountant and through his volunteering work. For 35 years he volunteered for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. He also volunteered for the Scout Association, the Welsh Hockey Association and his local church. John ran our Tax Help surgery at Cwmbran where he helped 40 clients
John died from chronic heart failure on 22 July 2023; Penny tells us “Even up until the last week of his life he was concerning himself with helping others – advising the nursing staff about claiming (backdated) uniform allowance, telling one of his visitors how to sort the probate for her late father and advising another friend to apply for council tax relief and attendance allowance on account of her husband’s recent diagnosis.
… and though clearly I am biased, I have no hesitation in saying my father was a wonderful man, who invariably put others before himself and whose integrity, kindness and generosity made this world a better place for very many people.”
John was a dedicated advocate of our charities’ work, and he will be missed by us all.
