Our Vice President John Cannon died on 3rd January 2021, aged 90. He had been ill for a few months, and passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family.
A dental surgeon by profession, he ran his own practice single-handedly and was always in demand. He retired in 1990.

Apart from his wife Brenda and his family he had three great loves in his life: Gilbert & Sullivan, Chess, and Local History. He was Archivist for the London Gilbert & Sullivan Society as well as serving on its Editorial Board, and was a frequent contributor to its glossy magazine Gilbert & Sullivan News.

Like his friends Melvyn Tarran and Peter Parker, he had an extensive collection of G & S memorabilia, which invaded every room in his house!

John was a frequent attendee at our Society meetings at Haywards Heath's Birch Hotel, and himself gave us an excellent talk when we were starting out.

Chess played a big part in John's life. He ran Horsham Chess Club for sixty years and was its President later in life. He played for Sussex no fewer than 515 times - a national record for County representation at chess - and was very successful. He was also a respected Local Historian, talented pianist, keen tennis player and a good photographer.

John was a proud supporter of his soprano wife Brenda, who played the leads for Horsham Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society as well as elsewhere, for many years. They travelled abroad many times together.

He is much missed by his friends in the Sussex G & S Society.