R.Jeffrey (Jeff) Summers (1952-2011) Obituary

Jeff had hugely fond memories of his time at The Collegiate (1963 or 64 -1971) and hanging next to my photographs of him at home is a copy of the watercolour of The Collegiate by Frank Green. It is very precious to me as it was to Jeff. I also have one of those “whole school” photographs from about 1964/65. Many people look at it when they come to the house and then hear about The Collegiate.

Jeff was always grateful for what he described as his excellent education at The Collegiate. He was a Liverpool Cathedral chorister and while a pupil at the school, had leading roles in the Gilbert and Sullivan productions, which he adored doing. Most notable to him, of these, was his role of Lord Chancellor in Iolanthe. I have some wonderful photographs of him and others!

After school, Jeff read Economics and Economic History at Leicester University (where we met) and subsequently his career led him to work for British Leyland, Whitbread and then into The City as a Financial Analyst for the Building and Construction sector. Latterly he was a director of a family Private Equity company.

Jeff poured passion, enthusiasm and energy into his work and all of his enterprises, and I and our 2 sons had a wonderful life with him. He always retained his love of music and opera which began during his time at The Collegiate.

Living in Surrey he only made it to, I think, 1 or 2 of the AGM/Annual Dinners but he loved receiving and poring over the Collegiate Times.
He died, sadly too young at 58, after about a year of illness (one of the “galloping” varieties of cancer) and still working for as long as he could manage.

I and my sons know that The Collegiate was a core part of Jeff’s life and that he would love to be remembered by you.

We wish you all of the very best with your continuing work as Old Boys. May you all remain forever, young at heart.

Krystyna Summers

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