John Robert Harvey

Born in Bournemouth, he lived with his aunt after a troubled childhood and was educated in Berkshire.

Both a Bachelor and Master of Classics, he had an interest in spiritualism and was a well-known medium, serving churches both in the UK and abroad.

John was a lover of all things Greek and was studying for a PHD at Roehampton at the time of his death. He spoke and taught Greek, both ancient and modern, as well as many other European languages.

His well-attended funeral service at Bournemouth Crematorium on Tuesday, January 13 was led by the Reverend Margaret Roylance, a friend of John’s of more than 50 years.

Her husband, John Roylance, said he first met John at primary school in Maidenhead and recalled how they were both fond of Beethoven – John was a keen musician and pianist.

Despite his later achievements, John was not academic at school and joined Reading Library Service. It was later that he regained an interest in academic work and graduated from Reading University before studying for his MA.

Mr Roylance said that John was often outspoken, at times outrageous, often expressing himself in Greek, something that his many friends from across the years will know.

He was proud to be gay and found good community support when he returned to Bournemouth and later Poole, something he had always wanted to do.

John found love and support with Kostas Katsampoukas, his long-term partner.

John was also a member of the Wessex Astronomical Society, the RSPB, National Trust and English Heritage.

He supported Amnesty International and, as a lover of classical music, had recently become a member of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

John also enjoyed his garden, growing all kinds of flowers, and was particularly proud of an olive tree that he had grown from a cutting.

His funeral music included ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra, ‘Je ne regret rien’ by Edith Piaf and his favourites ‘White Rose of Athens’ by Nana Mouskouri and Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’.