TRIBUTES have been paid to man who dedicated his life to helping others and was a father figure to those who knew him.

Martin Dales, who lived in Old Malton, passed away last Wednesday, aged 66.

His family, wife Hazel and daughters Jessica and Rachel said he was “quite simply our strength and our stay.”

Born in South London in 1955, Martin attended St Dunstan’s College. In his early 20s, his life of service began when he went into teaching and worked in prep schools, while singing in his local church choir.

In 1983, he married his wife, Hazel Geer, after a chance encounter at a gathering of their respective church choirs.

Martin’s family said: “It was love at first sight. As his teaching career continued, this was when his daughters were born. Jessica was born in 1984 while he was teaching at Terrington Prep School and Rachel in 1988, when he was teaching in a school in a remote part of Scotland. ‘The Dales Four’ was complete.

“Most of his teaching years and fondest memories were at Howsham Hall which sadly closed in 2007. Many a time was spent on a Saturday watching the pupils play cricket and rugby, supporting and just simply being present to support all the staff and children involved.”

Martin’s love and passion for education didn’t end there.

He subsequently became chairman of governors at Amotherby Primary School for several years, which his daughters attended.

His family said Martin’s deep Christian faith and musicianship was ever present in his life.

“Being an organist and choirmaster for 47 years, wherever he was living at the time, was what he will mostly be remembered for.

“Latterly, he played at All Saints in Thornton-le-Dale and St Leonard’s Catholic Church in Malton.

“As a family of four, we would often sing together under our father’s direction, which is one of our most cherished memories.”

He served on the General Synod of the Church of England for over 20 years.

His family said: “Sport was one of his other passions in life whereby he was a keen follower of cricket and actively played where he lived in Kent and for the Old Malton team.

“Along with the late Anthony Knock, he founded the Worsley Cup cricket competition for local prep schools, once again combining his passion for education and sport.”

Martin very much took an interest in local government and politics.

In the 1990s, he decided to join Malton Town Council and was elected Mayor of Malton on two occasions.

“He was also chairman for the Conservative Association, and if that wasn’t enough for him to do, he became chairman of Ryedale Cameras in Action. The commencement of this project and complex system was one that he was particularly proud of.”

In his latter years, Martin worked for Lord Timothy Kirkhope of Harrogate, who was then an MEP. After a few years of organising public events on behalf of Lord Kirkhope, Timothy entered the House of Lords and Martin worked for his successor, John Proctor, until the UK left the EU.

“Since 2009, Martin campaigned tirelessly alongside his friend of nearly 40 years, the late Peter Lawrence, in the search for his missing daughter, Claudia Lawrence. Even as recently as 2021, he was still at the forefront of the campaign in keeping the search going.

“Martin loved his home village of Old Malton, where he resided for over 30 years, and took great pleasure in walking his Labrador dogs by the river. He also worked hard at keeping flood waters from the doors of villagers and was frequently seen in his wellies, up to his knees in water, trying to free up the drains to keep the systems functioning. He also loved entertaining and in particular cherished his patio at the back of the family cottage where everyone was always welcome.

“His deep faith was very much at the pinnacle of how he lived his life. It was this faith that underpinned the courage and fight that he had all the way to the end.

“He was quite simply our strength and our stay. He was more than just a father and loving husband: he was a father figure to many people who knew him. His life was very much one of service. This wasn’t just towards us, his family, but to the church and many locally and in the wider community. His unending quiet words of wisdom, support and encouragement to those in need is a quality that we will never forget.

“We are immensely proud of the loving father and husband that he was and we can only hope that we can continue and follow in his footsteps and always keep his memory alive.”

Martin’s funeral will be a private family service.

Hazel, Jessica and Rachel would like to thank all who have expressed their well-wishes and condolences.