Newark solicitor and trustee to St Leonards Trust greatly missed after his death aged 77

A solicitor, clerk to multiple charities, and dedicated family man has died suddenly, aged 77.

Michael Gamage was born at home in Newark in 1945, but spent his childhood in Marston.

He was educated at King’s School, Grantham, where he excelled academically and at sports including cricket, football tennis and table tennis.

Michael began work as an accounts clerk for a Grantham firm before joining Tallents and Co in 1968, and qualifying as a legal executive in 1972. He later qualified as a solicitor and become a partner of Hodgkinson Beaver in 1980.

In the early 1990s he co-founded Payne & Gamage and practised as a property lawyer for the next 30 years, latterly as a consultant partner until his death.

He was clerk and receiver to St Leonard’s Hospital Trust, which provides charitable housing to people in need in Newark, for more than 30 years, overseeing and managing the building of Bishop Alexander Court and Parsons Mount.

On his retirement in 2018 he accepted the role of trustee to the charity.

He was also clerk to the Municipal General Charity and WE Knight Education Trust, and continued on as a trustee for the Municipal General Charity after his retirement.

Michael was an active member of Christ Church, Newark, having been secretary for the district church council for a number of years.

He was also governor of the Grove School in the 1990s.

During retirement he volunteered at the National Civil War Centre, enjoyed playing golf, and was an avid follower of Nottingham Forest.

His main priority, however, was his family, his wife, Judy ­— they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year ­— daughters Caroline, Jane and Elizabeth and grandchildren Daniel, Holly, Oliver, Jack and Charlie.

His funeral will be on Thursday, December 8, at 12.15pm at Christ Church. His family request donations for the Stroke Association in lieu of flowers.