Death of 'a humble man' - Gil Prewett
A MAN who gave up a promising academic career to work as a miller in his family's business in Horsham has died at the age of 100.
Gil Prewett was described by his daughter Jane Shityuwete, 53, as a man who was 'deeply good, thoughtful, humble and self-effacing'.
Gil was born in Horsham on January 15, 1908, and died on Wednesday July 2, at a nursing home in Wales, where he was living to be near his elder daughter, Mary Howley, 58.
Jane, who lives in Namibia, said: "He was just a deeply good and thoughtful person, very humble, and very self-effacing."
Gil attended Collyer's School in Hurst Road, where he excelled as a student.
He loved Latin, maths and science and was offered a place at the University of Cambridge to study medicine.
Although he desperately wanted to go to Cambridge, his father asked him to join the family business at Prewett's Mill in Worthing Road.
A strong sense of duty led him to do so and he assumed responsibility for the business when his father died in 1935 and continued until 1948.
Just after the end of World War Two he met his future wife, Judy, and their first daughter, Mary was born in 1950.
Jane said: "My mother was such an eccentric, loud and sociable person, and he was very thoughtful and studious and deeply interested in social affairs.
"He always agonised over decisions and trying to think what was the right thing to do, which didn't make for an easy life – but a very full life."
In 1969, the family moved into the east wing of South Lodge, which they rented from the Godwin family, who then owned the house, now a hotel, in Lower Beeding.
Jane said her mother dragged Gil out of his shyness and into a more sociable way of life.
He was an accomplished pianist, and his wife also helped instil in him a passion for poetry, art and drama, which became more central to his life as time went on.
She managed to lure him into amateur dramatics in the Horsham Players, later known as Theatre 48.
After the Godwin family sold South Lodge, the Prewetts moved to a small house in the town, and then to Wales in 1991.
Judy died shortly after the couple's golden wedding anniversary in 1999.
At the age of 96, Gil made the long trip to Namibia and visited Jane for three months.
She said Gil became firm friends with her husband, Helao, a former freedom fighter and prisoner at Robben Island – where Nelson Mandela was also incarcerated.
"It was wonderful," she said. "He and my husband were kindred spirits, both very thoughtful and committed people and he really enjoyed hearing about the freedom struggle in Namibia."
Gil celebrated his 100th birthday in January at the village hall in Northop.
Jane said: "He was reading The Times every day right up to the end, and he was very astute and analytical about world affairs.
"That was the key to his longevity – being interested in everything around him."
Gil remained a trustee of Horsham Unitarian Church in Worthing Road until his death, and on Wednesday (July 16) at 12 noon a service will be held there for the interment of his ashes.
For comprehensive coverage of all the stories making the local news, read Friday's edition of the West Sussex County Times newspaper. Website users who wish to purchase a copy of the County Times newspaper but live outside our circulation area can do so by telephoning 01403 751200 and asking for reception. The cost of the newspaper plus postage in England is 1.53 which can be paid for by credit card. Overseas rates are also available, on request.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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