Obituary: John Joseph Tinker

BEN, the Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund is mourning the loss of one of its long serving board members – John Joseph Tinker. John sadly died on Friday 23 December, having suffered poor health in recent months.

John was elected a Life Governor on 20 October 2005 in recognition of his outstanding service to the Fund. He was associated with BEN for many years as a Director of Lex Service Group, a leading supporter of the Fund. He joined the Management Board in October 1987 and served on the Welfare Committee, being its Chairman from 1999 until his retirement from the Board in October 2005.

John’s sympathetic and practical understanding of the issues faced by BEN’s beneficiaries and their dependants was greatly appreciated by the Welfare Department staff. During his chairmanship of the Welfare Committee, John supported the Welfare Officers during the modernisation of the welfare procedures and guidelines. He always showed great awareness of the changing social needs of the beneficiaries and his flexibility and wisdom will be greatly missed. John set an example of service to others, which few have equalled.

John leaves a widow, Margaret, two sons, David and Jonathan and a daughter Jane (sadly their son Mark died unexpectedly during John’s illness). The heartfelt thoughts of everyone at BEN are with John’s family at this difficult time.