ADRIAN RESTORICK
13/07/1932 – 12/03/2025
(92 YEARS)
It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death in March of Adrian Restorick who lived in Plymouth.
Adrian was born In Weymouth on 12th July 1932 and his branch of the Restorick family is descended from William baptised 1615, third son of John and Christian Restarick of Axmouth.
His early childhood was disrupted by the war forcing him to leave his family home and live with relatives in a remote village in Dorset. Returning to Weymouth he attended the local grammar school where he built a close group of friends who enjoyed cycling and sport. However, he was never fully satisfied with life in Weymouth and at the earliest opportunity moved to London to do the civil service examine and live in digs in London. This streak of independence and determination to succeed was a key characteristic of his life.
Whilst in London, he met Sheila at a Goldsmith dance which he had snuck into, it was the start of a life together. Using money Adrian had won at cards during his National Service the two of them headed off to France for their honeymoon. Their joint love of travel saw them head all over the world including China, Russia, Syria and South America.
Adrian’s career in the civil service went from strength-to-strength seeing him and his new family consisting of two children, Trewin and Claudia, heading from London to Nottingham then Cheltenham and finally Plymouth. In Plymouth, Adrian was responsible for computerising the Land Registry a massive undertaking and one of the government’s few IT projects that was delivered on time and budget. Adrian was recognised for this significant achievement by being awarded the OBE.
Despite being offered many lucrative contracts to repeat his work in other countries, Adrian made good on his commitment to Shelia to take early retirement so that they could travel and enjoy time together. During his retirement Adrian remained active in the community including supporting the Arts Centre and Probus. For many years he audited the accounts of our family history society and both he and his wife Sheila attended many of our annual get-togethers in the West Country.
In his last few years, Adrian became increasingly house-bound where he was cared for by Sheila. His last week of life was spent in a care home where he died in his sleep on 12th March 2025.
Over 50 people attended Adrian’s funeral where former work colleagues spoke affectionately about the support and guidance, he had provided them in their careers and his grandchildren and family spoke of a warm, caring, funny and thoughtful man who was devoted to his wife. He will be greatly missed.
TONY MANNING
10/11/1931 – 25/04/2022
(90 YEARS)
We are saddened to have heard the news of Tony’s death. He was born in Chingford, Essex, the only son of Bill and Elsie. In 1955 he married Elizabeth, a marriage that would last for 67 years up until she passed away earlier this year. They had children Carolyn, Robert and Julia.
Tony’s career was in electronic components and eventually he would go on to travel the country, Europe and, for a couple of years, America, doing sales and marketing. He started working for GEC in Stanmore before joining Mullard, in London, who were distributors for Phillips. Then, another change of employer to Semicomps and finally ended up with Semispecs.
Always an enthusiastic, active person, he enjoyed sport; tennis, squash and golf being the main ones. He was a staunch supporter of Watford FC. He also built and maintained a narrow boat, introducing his young family to the joys of the British canal system. A hobby which kept them all busy for over 50 years!
He, along with Elizabeth, were members of the Abbots Langley Methodist Church and were involved in many aspects of church life such as hosting fund-raising garden parties on the Stonehaven lawn, technical support and fellowship. With Elizabeth he was a member of the Restorick/Restarick Family Society, attending many annual get-togethers and auditing the accounts.
He was an extraordinary man, and lived a long and very full life.
ELIZABETH MANNING
It was with deep regret that we learned of the death of Elizabeth Manning who died on 28 January 2022. Our thoughts are with her husband Tony and all their family at this sad time.
Elizabeth was born 25 October 1934, the daughter of Elizabeth Restorick, born 1901 in London, who married Frederick Callow in 1932.
She was a great support to the Restorick/Restarick family history society, joining at its inception at the get-together on 4/5 October 1986 at the Dolphin Hotel in Beer, Devon. Serving on the committee for 25 years – Secretary for ten and then as Chair for 15 years until she was elected Honorary President. Her husband Tony also audited the accounts.
She had a lovely personality and nothing phased her. She was known to go for a swim in the sea during our October meetings at Beer – amazing as the beach is pebbles and the sea freezing.
Elizabeth will be sadly missed by many Restoricks and Restaricks who met her through our annual get-togethers.
JEN RESTARICK
Jen, wife of Cliff Restarick of Melbourne, Australia, sadly passed away peacefully on Friday 26 February 2021 in hospital following treatment for a stroke and a fall.
Jennifer Spencer Moss married Clifford in 1970 and they had two children – Jonathan and Kylie.
Jen was a great help with our family history research in Australia, especially finding the probate on William James Restarick who died in 1892 in Sydney, and other information from newspapers etc.
She will be sadly missed and our thoughts go out to Cliff and his family.
ALICE MITCHELL
Sadly Alice died on 2 January 2021 from cancer. We have sent a message of condolence from us all to her husband Jimmy and the rest of her family.
Alice was part of the Scottish Restoricks, the youngest child, born 1945, of John Restorick and Alice (Nunn). Her line is shown on Colyton Chart 2.1b and goes back through William Restorick bap1832 in Beaminster, Dorset, who was a wireworker with travelling fairs, his youngest son Thomas eventually settling in the Edinburgh area. From William the tree goes back through the Channel Islands to Hawkchurch and then Joseph, born 1744 in Colyton and his wife Benedicta. As we know, this Colyton ultimately goes back through John, born 1638, who was involved in the Monmouth Rebellion, whose grandparents were John and Christian Restarick of Axmouth.
Alice helped me hugely with research into our family history, often solving problems by cross checking on another genealogy website or pointing out errors. Unfortunely she was never able to come to the Society’s family gatherings over the years.
Alice will be sorely missed by me and all members of the Restorick/Restarick/Restrick wider family.
Rita Restorick
Researcher
