Deaths announced of two former deputies

THE deaths have been announced of two former States members of the 1990s, Mike Dene and Owen Le Vallee.

Mike Dene was the chief ambulance officer in the late 1980s as well as serving as member of a number of committees during his time as a deputy. (31649784)

Mr Dene was at one time the chief officer of the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service while Mr Le Vallee served on the Recreation Committee as well as being involved with the Island Games and Commonwealth Games for many years.

Mr Dene was made an MBE in 1997 for his services to St John Ambulance

He joined the Ambulance and Rescue Service in 1948 and was appointed deputy chief officer in 1976 and acting chief in 1985, being confirmed in the role three months later. He retired in 1991.

He served three terms in the States, representing St Peter Port, while continuing as a douzenier.

During his time in the Assembly he was president of the Traffic Committee and a member of the Cadastre, Civil Defence, Island Development and Overseas Aid committees.

Mr Le Vallee was a deputy for the Castel and as well as serving on the Recreation Committee, he was president of the Liberation Day Committee.

Outside of the States he devoted a lot of time to local sport, leading Guernsey teams to the Commonwealth Games on a number of occasions

He was also involved in the forming of the Guernsey Island Games Association and served as ‘chef de mission for island teams taking part in the Games overseas.

As well as serving as a Castel deputy, Owen Le Vallee was prominent in sport, particularly in the Commonwealth and Island Games. (31649798)

In 1987 he was chairman of the Games organising committee when it was held in the island.

Jorgen Pettersson, chairman of the International Island Games Association, visited Mr Le Vallee in hospital during a trip to Guernsey in 1999.

‘I was lucky enough to spend many years with him on the executive committee and it could be awkward from time to time when our views were not the same as how to develop the association, but afterwards he was the first one in the bar and laughing at what had just happened,’ he said. ‘That was the glory of Owen in many ways.’

Peter Roffey remembered meeting Mr Le Vallee when he was a young man keen on athletics. He described him as ‘a real father figure to the sport in Guernsey’.

He later served alongside him in the States.

‘Owen was one of those very solid States members, being both sensible and pragmatic,’ he said.

‘Owen was a really pleasant and urbane man, with a keen sense of humour, and was widely liked and respected.’

Deputy Roffey said that Mr Le Vallee had never lost his interest in island affairs and the pair were messaging on social media on a range of matters until a few months ago.

‘Owen will be missed by many and my thoughts are with his family.

‘They can take solace from the fact that few of us will live such a full life as Owen undoubtedly did.’