Бывший топ-менеджер Shell похоронили в Лондоне: он посвятил жизнь развитию местного сообщества

A retired Shell executive has been remembered for his lasting impact on the community he called home. Stephen Hodge, a former finance director at the oil company, died in April at the age of 84. Mr Hodge dedicated his later years to civic work in Highgate and played a central role in the creation of the Highgate Newtown Community Centre. Hundreds gathered at the centre to pay tribute to Mr Hodge at a memorial event. Read more Six mums cycle 196km through French Alps and raise £10,000 for charity North London Line of Duty actor awarded Freedom of the City of London Jamie George hails Noah Caluori after dream England debut Andrew Sanalitro, CEO of Highate Newtown Community Partnership, said: “Stephen Hodge was a man that put duty to others on the same level as duty to his family and his legacy to people who have felt forgotten in our society is everlasting. "Stephen had an ability to ensure no matter what a person background or difficulties never to judge them. "I have lost a true friend who also helped me shape my own life and I will miss the happy times we debated and shared.” Born Stephen Murley Garfield Hodge in Peterborough on March 11, 1942, he grew up with a deep interest in electronics and science fiction. He earned a scholarship to Nottingham High Boys School which was later transferred to Chigwell School before going on to study law at Balliol College, Oxford, where he achieved a first-class degree. It was during a game of bridge in 1964 that he met future wife Leila Nasta. The couple married in 1967 and were still members of the Bridge group at Highgate Golf Club. Mr Hodge began his career at Shell in September 1967, entering the international finance sector rather than law. His work took him and his family to Caracas and Lagunillas in Venezuela, as well as Buenos Aires in Argentina. Despite frequent moves, the Hodge family maintained a home in Highgate, which they returned to permanently in 1986 after further postings in The Hague and Melbourne. He retired from Shell in 2001 and threw himself into community life. In addition to his work on the community centre, he spent more than 50 years as a member of Highgate Golf Club and served as a trustee. He was a founder patron of the Upstairs at the Gatehouse theatre and hosted musical evenings for the Highgate Society and The Harington. At the Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution, he served as treasurer and later president, guiding it through governance reforms and the consideration of charitable status. He spent a decade as treasurer of the Highgate Newtown Community Partnership, where colleagues say the partnership’s community centre may never have been built without his 'drive and determination'. Mr Hodge is survived by his wife Leila, their son Tom, daughter-in-law Kim, granddaughters Florence and Vivienne, and his sister Mary. Tributes hailed a quiet clever man who had a great sense of humour, was a great listener, and who could get on with people from all backgrounds with time for everyone. There were tales of daring on the ski slopes, adventures around the world and quiet acts of kindness to many, ending with singing and dancing in honour of a man who was the life and soul of any party.