A remarkable lifetime of service to the Isle of Wight is being rediscovered by 91-year-old Gerry Moglione, with the help of his Age UK Isle of Wight befriender, Stephen Matthews.
For more than six decades, Gerry’s name has appeared in Island newspapers through a life spent teaching, supporting sport, volunteering and giving his time to the local community.
Now, with Stephen’s help, those stories are being brought together again, allowing Gerry to look back on the people, places and achievements that have shaped an extraordinary life on the Island.
How it began
Stephen began visiting Gerry through Age UK Isle of Wight’s befriending service. As the pair got to know each other, Gerry spoke about some of the many things he had been involved with over the years.
Stephen quickly became curious.
He said,
“On our first visit, Gerry said, ‘I did this, I did that.’ I thought nobody can be that good. I thought nobody could have done everything he was telling me about.”
Wanting to help Gerry with a personal goal of looking back over his life and putting his memories into a timeline, Stephen began making enquiries.
After first approaching the library, he was directed to the Isle of Wight Record Office and what came back surprised even him.
Stephen said,
“The Record Office could not believe how much Gerry had done for the Island and how much he had done for young people. They sent me so many articles about him.”
Rather than overwhelming Gerry with everything at once, Stephen began taking just a few articles along to each of his weekly visits, giving the pair time to look through them together and talk about the memories behind them.
The archive tells the story of a man whose contribution to Island life stretches back decades.
From the RAF to the classroom
Born in Liverpool in 1935, Gerry served in the RAF in Germany before training as a teacher and eventually making the Isle of Wight his home.
He went on to spend more than 30 years in education on the Island, including as Head of Physical Education at Cowes High School and later as a Head of Year and founding member of staff at Medina High School.
A life in Island sport
Sport became another major thread running through Gerry’s life.
His work extended well beyond school sport, with involvement in athletics, local sporting organisations, being the secretary of the Isle of Wight Sports and Recreation Council and the Island Games.
He helped support and promote opportunities for young Islanders, campaigned for sporting facilities and represented the Island through his involvement with the Island Games Association.
At one point, the local press described Gerry as “one of the most influential figures in Island sport.”
When asked which of the old stories he had particularly enjoyed rediscovering with Stephen, Gerry immediately picked out the Island Games, describing them as an important part of his life.
No slowing down in retirement
And retirement did little to slow him down.
Gerry continued to give his time to Island life through a wide range of activities, including volunteering with the Friends of St Mary’s Hospital.
He remained active well into later life, continued skiing, ran keep-fit sessions and even completed a parachute jump to raise money for his local church.
A friendship that matters to both
But beyond documenting Gerry’s achievements, the project has become something more personal.
The old newspaper cuttings have prompted conversations about people and moments Gerry had not thought about for many years, while Stephen’s weekly visits have given the pair plenty of time to share those stories together.
Gerry’s wife Margaret has also become part of the weekly conversations. What she initially expected to be time for Gerry and Stephen to talk together has become something she enjoys joining in with too.
Asked about Stephen’s visits, Gerry simply said they were “lovely”, adding that the pair always have a good chat.
And the friendship has meant just as much to Stephen.
Speaking about why he first became a befriender, Stephen said,
“I volunteered purely for selfish reasons really. I’d lost my partner, I was on my own, and I thought I needed something to do. Somebody suggested this and it’s been the best thing that could have ever happened to me. It’s given me a new lease of life.”
How to get involved
Age UK Isle of Wight’s Marketing & Digital Communications Officer, Joe Hodgkinson, recently visited Gerry and Margaret at home with Stephen and their carer, who has become very much part of the family.
Their conversation, stories and laughter were recorded and brought together into a podcast-style video, combining their voices with photographs and some of the historic newspaper articles that Stephen has uncovered.
The video celebrates not only Gerry’s remarkable contribution to the Isle of Wight, but also what can happen when a volunteer gives their time to get to know another person and support something that matters to them.
The full video featuring Gerry, Stephen and Margaret can now be watched on the Age UK Isle of Wight Facebook page or below.
Age UK Isle of Wight is encouraging anyone who may be able to give some of their time to an older Islander to find out more about volunteering opportunities with the charity.
The charity is an independent local charity, supporting older people across the Island through its services, projects and community work.
Islanders interested in becoming a volunteer befriender, finding out more about Gift of Friendship, or supporting Age UK Isle of Wight through volunteering, fundraising or donating are encouraged to get in touch with the charity via [email protected] or visit its website.
News shared by Joe on behalf of Age UK Isle of Wight. Ed
