PUBLISHED 24 January 2023
Warm tributes have been paid following news of the death of teacher John Booth who spent the whole of his working career at the former King Edward VII School, Lytham. Mr Booth of Hesketh Road in St. Annes, died in Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Thursday 19th January at the age of 90.
John Booth was himself a pupil of King Edward’s from where he won a place at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge to study History. He returned to teach at the school in 1955 and over the next 39 years successfully played a variety of roles including Head of the History Department, Cricket Coach, Housemaster of Adventurers and finally Senior Master. He retired in July 1994.
Julian Wilde, former Head of King Edward’s, recalls the welcome he received from John Booth on his own arrival in Lytham in 1993.
“Generations of King Edward’s boys and staff will remember John Booth as a fine teacher and as a warm and friendly man. He was most helpful to me, always with a ready smile and a quiet word of explanation, as I settled into my new work. I know that many of my colleagues found him exactly the same when they joined the school. John was a people person, with King Edward’s at heart.”
Following his retirement John Booth was elected in 1997 as President of the Old Lidunians – the association of old boys of King Edward’s - and in the past two decades has been a regular supporter of social gatherings for former staff.
Ron Naylor, former Deputy Head and Head of Modern Languages at King Edward’s, who worked with John Booth for 28 years, is full of admiration for his listening skills.
“The boys had a huge respect for John. They all knew he was on their side and, even if he had to discipline them for misbehaviour, he never made them think they were worthless. His ability to listen and always to make everyone, boys and staff, feel they were of value was a wonderful gift.”
John Booth is survived by his three sons, John, David and Peter and four grandchildren. His wife Gwenneth (known as ‘Rae’) died in November 2020.
John’s funeral service and cremation will be at Park Crematorium, Lytham on Tuesday 7th February at 3.30 pm.
Family flowers only please. Donations may be sent for Blackpool Victoria Blue Skies Hospital Fund c/o and all further enquiries to Horsfield & Family Funeral Directors, 1a St David’s Road North, Lytham St Annes FY8 2AT. Tel: 781011