Obituary for Tristan da Cunha islander Edwin 'Spike' Glass, who passed away 27th May 2015, aged 86.

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Obituary for Edwin "Spike" Glass

We regret to announce the death of Noel Edwin Dodgson (“Spike”) Glass, on Wednesday 27th May 2015 in Camogli Hospital, aged 86. He preferred Edwin as his official name, but was always affectionately called “ Spike”. He had been unwell for a few weeks since losing his footing while working at The Patches and was admitted to hospital when his condition deteriorated.

Spike was born on 7th December 1928 to parents George and Eliza Glass (née Swain) and was the eldest of five children. From an early age Spike accepted the responsibility of caring for his siblings: Joseph, Conrad, Agnes and Herbert. When, at the age of 14, his parents went to Nightingale Island on a “fatting trip”, it was the young Spike who had to look after the children, for example washing their clothes in a stream, baking bread over an open hearth, and milking the family cow.

Spike married Monica Rose Glass (née Rogers) on 10th August 1955. They had two children, Sheila and Conrad (“Connie”) and two grandchildren.

When evacuated to England after the 1961 volcanic eruption, Spike worked for Lanes, first as a night-watchman, then as a carpenter's mate, installing foundations for roads and pipelines connecting to the Esso Oil Refinery at Fawley. After returning to Tristan in 1963, Spike only left the island on one further occasion, to accompany his wife to Cape Town when she underwent medical treatment.

Spike was perfectly suited to the Tristan way of life as he relished all outdoor activities – walking on the mountain, sailing, fishing and tending his fields at The Potato Patches.

At the age of 18, Spike became a fisherman, first in small rowing dinghies, working the larger vessels fishing at Nightingale, Inaccessible and Gough Islands, and later on power driven boats, continuing to work until his retirement from fishing at the age of 70.

Spike was active in many areas of island life, becoming coxswain of the traditional Tristan longboat “Raffee”at the age of 30 and being elected to the Tristan Island Council, where he was never afraid to speak his mind.

He was known as a man of strong integrity and morals, with a high work ethic. His zest for life was founded upon deep religious beliefs and his interests included music, watching football, making model Tristan longboats, gardening, angling and caring for his animals. His perennial good nature and sense of humour enabled him, even on the day prior to his passing, to challenge the Rev. Denzall Snell, to a run to The Patches.

Spike truly enriched the lives of all who had the good fortune to know him. His legacy will live on, not only in their memories, but in the influence he had on their lives and character. He is survived by his wife Monica; sister Agnes; brother Herbert; his children Sheila and Conrad; his grandchildren Leon and Warren and his nephews and nieces.