Garry Richard Deeks (17 Aug 1952 - 29 Dec 2024)

Garry was first my headteacher, then my parent’s friend, then my friend. I remember the strange transition between calling him Mr Deeks and then calling him Garry. I ended up knowing him as Garry for much longer than I knew him as Mr Deeks.

When he left Cockfield Primary, I gave him a painting that I had done of him. I was about 9 so it probably wasn’t very good, but it certainly had a likeness. He hung it in his house for several years afterwards, which made me feel very special.

He will be missed.

Garry was one of my favourite people. I was so lucky to have him in my life, first as my headmaster, then as a friend. I will always remember arriving at my wedding venue to see him calmly reading a paper outside: the first guest to arrive, there even before the groom!
I will always remember his laugh and his kindness and his wonderful sense of humour. He will be missed greatly.


Josh

Fond memories of Gary back in the day when we sat together at Stradbroke adult
classes trying to improve our French. Happy days!

Garry was very dear to me and to all our family. We first knew him as our headteacher at Cockfield Primary but he became so much more than that, and long after we had left the school and moved out of Suffolk, he remained an important figure in all our lives. It was a pleasure and a comfort to be in his company. I can still hear his voice, which as a child was a source of calm authority, and I have fond memories of visiting the house in Fressingfield and a couple of joint family holidays in France. He had a sense of mischief about him, and never failed to impress, albeit modestly, with his creative and practical skills (we still have a watercolour he did of our old house, and he built the counter in my parents' bookshop in Harleston).

I will be thinking of him tomorrow, and sending my love to Steve and Pam and all those who knew him.

Alex

A grey day turned even darker on hearing the news of Garry’s death. I served with Garry as a governor at Fressingfield Primary School. He was an excellent supporter of the school. He has a keen sense of humour and was very perceptive . He will be greatly missed.

We miss you already being up at Seven Sparrows and popping in for a cuppa or a glass of something cold on those lovely summer evenings, after you had mowed the grass … which we know was one of your great pleasures .
Fressingfield will miss you and we all owe you a huge thanks for everything you did for the village.
Thank you for your generosity as a neighbour and a friend and a headteacher to our boys.
We count ourselves truly lucky to have known you and call you a friend.
So many happy memories we will treasure.
Sending our love to your children and grandchildren who I know you held dear.
Mike & Tracy