Alan Painter
Alan Remembered
From Dave Thaxter
I was fortunate enough to meet Alan on a few occaisions over the years and also to visit his home to talk BCal and a warm welcome was always extended.
Alan also had a super photo collection and provided many images of his career over the years with BCal. These can all be found in Your Photos or by using the link here to see Alan's galleries
From Dick Holder
Alan was always a man on a mission, he was one of the nicest, kindest, people-person I have had the pleasure to work with, I remember him with fond memories. Another fine airline person gone to pastures new! RIP Alan.
From David Williams
Very sad to hear about Alan he was a true gentleman. I always enjoyed working with him both when he was in the UK and overseas Rip Sir
From Liz lockhart-Mure
Alan was part of the very special BCAL family and we will all miss him, a privilege to have known such a lovely person. Deepest condolences to Brenda, Kim and the family at this very sad time.
From Sue Barter
Alan was a real gentlemen no matter what your status was in BCal he would always acknowledge you
From Kris Massie
We met Alan when he visited the BCal office in Kitwe, Zambia - so sorry to hear the news and please pass on condolences to his wife and family.
From Wim Louwers
After Hans Sennef left and before Andy Geary Stevens came to Amsterdam I was acting Manager the Netherlands for BCal. Alan was my mentor during that period. I believe Alan was Manager Germany then. I already knew Alan well from various European sales meetings. He helped me a lot and we had quite a few laughs, probably about head office. I’m sad to hear that Alan has passed away.
From Adelaide Campbell
I knew Alan and Brenda. I'm so sorry this has happened. Alan was such a gentle, nice person. Brenda, if you see this, I've lost your address but I am at the same place. Please accept my condolences. And if you'd like a break, I'd love to have you come and stay over here with me any time. You are in my thoughts
From Frank Skilbeck
How do you say goodbye to someone you’ve known for over forty years? I think you do it by remembering the good times together whether in Gatwick, Paris or Brussels, Rome or Milan, Tunis or Tangiers.
How could we forget the great times, with both Brenda and Alan, sheltering under tall palms, totally engrossed in a game of scrabble on a sun-kissed beach in Cape Panwa on Phuket Island. Or tucking into seafood in a famous restaurant near our house in Bangkok: carefully picking over fresh crabs from the Mekong Delta which were the size of dinner plates! “How do you want them cooked sir? Curried in turmeric perhaps? In black-pepper sauce? Or just steamed with a drizzle of lime juice.” How Alan’s face would light up at the prospect. And what about those giant river prawns, halved and grilled with just a hint of garlic? Or the huge mussels steaming under a thin layer of freshly-cut lemongrass and parked next to a sizzling plate of oysters from the Gulf of Thailand.
We also remember the trips to northern Thailand to the Golden Triangle and to the Andaman Sea and the devastation caused by the Asian tsunami. Alan and Brenda were there when we went to help families who had lost loved ones.
Thanks for being such good company Alan; thanks for the wise counsel freely offered on so many occasions; thanks for being a great friend. Will miss you greatly…Frank, Jazz and family. (RIP)
From Anne Blackburn
Alan was really only an acquaintance of mine at BCAL as he passed by my desk on his way to see Alastair Pugh. But I got to know Alan and Brenda better when I realised that they were neighbours. My condolences go to Brenda and family, Alan will be much missed by more people than this modest man would ever have let himself believe.
From Andy Geary Stevens
I was very sad to hear that Alan has passed away. He will be fondly remembered here in Belgium where he was Country Manager for several years. Alan and Brenda have been regular attendees at the BCAL reunions in Brussels where they were instrumental in keeping the memories of BCAL very much alive. My own remembrances of Alan go back to his time in Casablanca where he had his terrible accident and at various places on the network when he was doing relief duties as Country Manager. We got to know each other well and It is with pleasure that I can still turn back the years when looking at the photos he posted on the BCAL website. His sharp memory and his anecdotes made many of us laugh whilst comfortably seated at the bar in his home in Copthorne.
Many of the BCAL staff here in Belgium have asked me to pass on their condolences to Brenda and the family and I think this speaks volumes of the high regard in which he was held by those with whom he worked all those years ago.
From Charles Powell
Alan and I joined BUA in the same week in 1969. Previously he had been the British Eagle manager in Tunis. On their demise we inherited that route and Alan. British Eagle was famous for its proud and independent spirit. Everyone there was well used to fighting for better business and opportunities for the independent airlines and Alan had that independent spirit which stood him in such good stead in BCAL. We worked together over many years as BCAL tried to expand our services in Tunis and later Casablanca.
Whenever Alan served anywhere he always made many friends. He had an easy skill in that area and he did that both for himself and the company. Everywhere he went he made permanent friends but none was more important for him than with the police chief in Casablanca who was able to spirit him away from all local police investigations after his crash en-route to Casablanca airport on night. That friendship undoubtedly saved his life.
After the BA merger he came to work for me in Air Europe and his first task was to open the Brussels route. We hosted a trade reception and almost every senior person in the entire Belgian travel trade came to be with their old friend, Alan. It was very moving to see the esteem and love in which he was held by them all. They all supported Alan in this new venture for him.
After we had both retired we spent many happy afternoons together in the Red Lion in Turners Hill reliving the times we had spent together in BCAL. I am sure that he will rest in peace but he will also leave a legacy of enterprise, success, commitment, devotion to his work and friends and fun. He will be much missed by the hundreds of people whose lives he touched.
From Terry Storer
So very sorry to hear the sad news about Alan. I go back to the early sixties when I first met Alan at British Eagle House in Conduit Street on the corner of New Bond Street in West London.
We were both very young to say the least. We remained friends while he managed certain Eagle route destinations and I provided communications support wherever it was required, Perpignan and Tunis are two locations that come immediately to mind.
After ’68 we found ourselves working in the same capacity for what was to become British Caledonian. I can’t remember all the places where we often met up again during the next twenty years but there were many. One in particular sticks in my memory and that was Brussels where I had to commission a new Central Reservations and Ticketing system in the town office. On the first night he told me we would be going out to dinner at one of the wonderful local Bistros. Alan ordered the starter and a bucket of mussels arrived, each! I said I didn’t like mussels and he said have you tried them? I said no and his response was ‘you will be all right’ and promptly showed me how to eat them. I never looked back and have been eating and enjoying them ever since.
After BA in ‘88 we both found ourselves at Air Europe and this time when I had to visit him in Brussels I bought dinner and you don’t have to guess what the starter was.
One of the things I appreciate most about Alan is whenever we met he made it obvious he was pleased to see me and always made me feel welcome, as many people know in our industry that can mean a lot. I am honoured to have been a friend and colleague of Alan’s for all of these years. Right now I just wish my health had been better over the past few years and I would have been able to see more of him, this time in the UK as opposed to more often than not overseas.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Brenda, his family and his friends.
From Dave Thaxter
I was fortunate enough to meet Alan on a few occaisions over the years and also to visit his home to talk BCal and a warm welcome was always extended.
Alan also had a super photo collection and provided many images of his career over the years with BCal. These can all be found in Your Photos or by using the link here to see Alan's galleries
From Dick Holder
Alan was always a man on a mission, he was one of the nicest, kindest, people-person I have had the pleasure to work with, I remember him with fond memories. Another fine airline person gone to pastures new! RIP Alan.
From David Williams
Very sad to hear about Alan he was a true gentleman. I always enjoyed working with him both when he was in the UK and overseas Rip Sir
From Liz lockhart-Mure
Alan was part of the very special BCAL family and we will all miss him, a privilege to have known such a lovely person. Deepest condolences to Brenda, Kim and the family at this very sad time.
From Sue Barter
Alan was a real gentlemen no matter what your status was in BCal he would always acknowledge you
From Kris Massie
We met Alan when he visited the BCal office in Kitwe, Zambia - so sorry to hear the news and please pass on condolences to his wife and family.
From Wim Louwers
After Hans Sennef left and before Andy Geary Stevens came to Amsterdam I was acting Manager the Netherlands for BCal. Alan was my mentor during that period. I believe Alan was Manager Germany then. I already knew Alan well from various European sales meetings. He helped me a lot and we had quite a few laughs, probably about head office. I’m sad to hear that Alan has passed away.
From Adelaide Campbell
I knew Alan and Brenda. I'm so sorry this has happened. Alan was such a gentle, nice person. Brenda, if you see this, I've lost your address but I am at the same place. Please accept my condolences. And if you'd like a break, I'd love to have you come and stay over here with me any time. You are in my thoughts
From Frank Skilbeck
How do you say goodbye to someone you’ve known for over forty years? I think you do it by remembering the good times together whether in Gatwick, Paris or Brussels, Rome or Milan, Tunis or Tangiers.
How could we forget the great times, with both Brenda and Alan, sheltering under tall palms, totally engrossed in a game of scrabble on a sun-kissed beach in Cape Panwa on Phuket Island. Or tucking into seafood in a famous restaurant near our house in Bangkok: carefully picking over fresh crabs from the Mekong Delta which were the size of dinner plates! “How do you want them cooked sir? Curried in turmeric perhaps? In black-pepper sauce? Or just steamed with a drizzle of lime juice.” How Alan’s face would light up at the prospect. And what about those giant river prawns, halved and grilled with just a hint of garlic? Or the huge mussels steaming under a thin layer of freshly-cut lemongrass and parked next to a sizzling plate of oysters from the Gulf of Thailand.
We also remember the trips to northern Thailand to the Golden Triangle and to the Andaman Sea and the devastation caused by the Asian tsunami. Alan and Brenda were there when we went to help families who had lost loved ones.
Thanks for being such good company Alan; thanks for the wise counsel freely offered on so many occasions; thanks for being a great friend. Will miss you greatly…Frank, Jazz and family. (RIP)
From Anne Blackburn
Alan was really only an acquaintance of mine at BCAL as he passed by my desk on his way to see Alastair Pugh. But I got to know Alan and Brenda better when I realised that they were neighbours. My condolences go to Brenda and family, Alan will be much missed by more people than this modest man would ever have let himself believe.
From Andy Geary Stevens
I was very sad to hear that Alan has passed away. He will be fondly remembered here in Belgium where he was Country Manager for several years. Alan and Brenda have been regular attendees at the BCAL reunions in Brussels where they were instrumental in keeping the memories of BCAL very much alive. My own remembrances of Alan go back to his time in Casablanca where he had his terrible accident and at various places on the network when he was doing relief duties as Country Manager. We got to know each other well and It is with pleasure that I can still turn back the years when looking at the photos he posted on the BCAL website. His sharp memory and his anecdotes made many of us laugh whilst comfortably seated at the bar in his home in Copthorne.
Many of the BCAL staff here in Belgium have asked me to pass on their condolences to Brenda and the family and I think this speaks volumes of the high regard in which he was held by those with whom he worked all those years ago.
From Charles Powell
Alan and I joined BUA in the same week in 1969. Previously he had been the British Eagle manager in Tunis. On their demise we inherited that route and Alan. British Eagle was famous for its proud and independent spirit. Everyone there was well used to fighting for better business and opportunities for the independent airlines and Alan had that independent spirit which stood him in such good stead in BCAL. We worked together over many years as BCAL tried to expand our services in Tunis and later Casablanca.
Whenever Alan served anywhere he always made many friends. He had an easy skill in that area and he did that both for himself and the company. Everywhere he went he made permanent friends but none was more important for him than with the police chief in Casablanca who was able to spirit him away from all local police investigations after his crash en-route to Casablanca airport on night. That friendship undoubtedly saved his life.
After the BA merger he came to work for me in Air Europe and his first task was to open the Brussels route. We hosted a trade reception and almost every senior person in the entire Belgian travel trade came to be with their old friend, Alan. It was very moving to see the esteem and love in which he was held by them all. They all supported Alan in this new venture for him.
After we had both retired we spent many happy afternoons together in the Red Lion in Turners Hill reliving the times we had spent together in BCAL. I am sure that he will rest in peace but he will also leave a legacy of enterprise, success, commitment, devotion to his work and friends and fun. He will be much missed by the hundreds of people whose lives he touched.
From Terry Storer
So very sorry to hear the sad news about Alan. I go back to the early sixties when I first met Alan at British Eagle House in Conduit Street on the corner of New Bond Street in West London.
We were both very young to say the least. We remained friends while he managed certain Eagle route destinations and I provided communications support wherever it was required, Perpignan and Tunis are two locations that come immediately to mind.
After ’68 we found ourselves working in the same capacity for what was to become British Caledonian. I can’t remember all the places where we often met up again during the next twenty years but there were many. One in particular sticks in my memory and that was Brussels where I had to commission a new Central Reservations and Ticketing system in the town office. On the first night he told me we would be going out to dinner at one of the wonderful local Bistros. Alan ordered the starter and a bucket of mussels arrived, each! I said I didn’t like mussels and he said have you tried them? I said no and his response was ‘you will be all right’ and promptly showed me how to eat them. I never looked back and have been eating and enjoying them ever since.
After BA in ‘88 we both found ourselves at Air Europe and this time when I had to visit him in Brussels I bought dinner and you don’t have to guess what the starter was.
One of the things I appreciate most about Alan is whenever we met he made it obvious he was pleased to see me and always made me feel welcome, as many people know in our industry that can mean a lot. I am honoured to have been a friend and colleague of Alan’s for all of these years. Right now I just wish my health had been better over the past few years and I would have been able to see more of him, this time in the UK as opposed to more often than not overseas.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife Brenda, his family and his friends.
Sadly Alan passed away on Wednesday 25th February, whilst fighting an illness in Guys Hospital; London.
My deepest condolences to Alan's wife Brenda, his family, many friends and former colleagues.
Alan's service was held on 13th March 2015 at St. John the Evangelist Church Copthorne and he is laid to rest in there.
After the service there was a gathering to celebrate Alan's life at The Cherry Tree Public House
Alan’s wishes were for any donations in his name to be made to Guys Hospital Kidney Unit.
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/donate/makeDonationForCharityDisplay.action?charityId=1000553&frequencyType=S
From Richard Stuart Webster
I was sorry to hear the very sad news of Alan passing away. I did meet up with him during my time at BCAL over in Brussels as well as in London at quite a few functions and in the City Office when it opened in Cheapside. I was transferred from Victoria to there for a while. I was at the opening of the office and met up with a lot of BCAL managers and directors. Brian Moore, the late football commentator, opened the office. I also met up with Alan at our Sales Conferences. He will be sadly missed.
From David Cooper
I was very sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. My thoughts & prayers go to Brenda and their family. I have known Alan since his time overseas with BCAL & later in London & then when he took over from me as Manager Italy prior to the takeover by BA when I was posted to Nigeria.
Subsequently we kept in touch over the years and enjoyed meeting up for a beer & chat from time to time. He was a man with a great sense of humour and a good friend; sadly missed.
From Trevor Warburton
I will always remember Alan as a true professional with great experience in aviation. He had the courage to speak up about the problems of "The Way Ahead", BCAL's solution to industrial relations difficulties. One of the few. A good bloke and friend. Sorely missed.
To the left a photo of Alan and Brenda taken just before Christmas 2014, many thanks Trevor.
I was sorry to hear the very sad news of Alan passing away. I did meet up with him during my time at BCAL over in Brussels as well as in London at quite a few functions and in the City Office when it opened in Cheapside. I was transferred from Victoria to there for a while. I was at the opening of the office and met up with a lot of BCAL managers and directors. Brian Moore, the late football commentator, opened the office. I also met up with Alan at our Sales Conferences. He will be sadly missed.
From David Cooper
I was very sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. My thoughts & prayers go to Brenda and their family. I have known Alan since his time overseas with BCAL & later in London & then when he took over from me as Manager Italy prior to the takeover by BA when I was posted to Nigeria.
Subsequently we kept in touch over the years and enjoyed meeting up for a beer & chat from time to time. He was a man with a great sense of humour and a good friend; sadly missed.
From Trevor Warburton
I will always remember Alan as a true professional with great experience in aviation. He had the courage to speak up about the problems of "The Way Ahead", BCAL's solution to industrial relations difficulties. One of the few. A good bloke and friend. Sorely missed.
To the left a photo of Alan and Brenda taken just before Christmas 2014, many thanks Trevor.
If you would like to leave a message in remembrance please drop me a line anytime
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