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MEMBERS OBITUARIES
MICHAEL (MIKE) JOHN DOHERTY QFSM
1935 - 2016
Whilst it is always a sad duty to write a few
personal words on the passing of a colleague,
being asked to pen a few words for his obituary,
is a great honour for such a well-respected
member of the Company.
My association with Mike goes back to mid-
1970 when I first met him at an interview for
an appointment to the Headquarters Fire
Prevention Branch of the London Fire Brigade
(LFB) as a fire prevention officer. Mike was
always approachable, provided inspiration
and encouragement to any young individual
who demonstrated that they wanted to make a
career in the fire prevention branch of the LFB.
Mike always found time to listen to an
individual’s request and advice, offering his
suggestions and help for the individual to follow.
This was evident all through Mike’s career up
until he retired from the LFB in late September
1989 holding the appointment of Deputy Chief
Fire Officer within Brigade Headquarters.
For his contribution to the British Fire Service,
Mike was awarded the ‘Queens Fire Service
Medal’.
Our paths crossed many times during our
service, each time we met he still showed that
warmth and interest in my career followed by an
enquiry on me returning to the LFB!
Mikewas a tall upright individual, when in uniform
he was smart and imposing and looked the part
of a Professional Fire Service Officer. Even on
retirement he maintained that presence.
On his retirement he joined the Company of
Firefighters taking Livery in 2006. He also
became a member of the London Fire Brigade
Retired Members Association joining 13 Branch
– SW Area & Surrey as he lived in Croydon
Surrey.
MAITRE ANDREW VICARI
1932- 2016
Liveryman andArtistAndrewVicari, who created
portraits for the Saudi Royal Family, has died at
the age of 84.
He began his career as an artist at Neath
Grammar School , and went on to study at the
Slade School of Fine Art at University College,
London (UCL), under the teaching of Lucian
Freud.
He was later noticed by the Saudi Royal Family
for his work and in 1974, he was appointed as
the official painter to the King and Government
of Saudi Arabia.
He painted several portraits of the Royal Family
in Saudi and in 2001 he sold his collection of
125 paintings of the First Gulf War to Saudi
Arabia’s Prince Khaled for £17m.
His nephew, Andrew Vaccari, paid tribute to
his late uncle. “He will leave a huge hole in our
world. But this is also a time for us as a family to
reflect on his incredible life,” he said.
“He studied at Neath Grammar School and
was the youngest person ever to receive a
scholarship at the Slade Art School in London.
He was very well known for his work in London
in the 50s and 60s.
“He has lived all over the world, including
France, Monaco and Saudi Arabia, where he
became the official painter to the Saudi Royal
Family.
“He changed the entire course of art in the
Middle East where he has left a real legacy.
There are three museums dedicated to his
work.” Mr Vaccari also spoke of his late uncle’s
love of his Welsh home. “He was passionate
about the place he came from and passionate
about being Welsh,” he said.
“He really was the most extraordinary individual
I have ever known.”
Obituary written by
Andrew Vaccari (nephew)
Obituary written by
Liveryman Harry Paviour