John Bye

JOHN Bye, one half of a couple who fostered more than 30 children in Calne, died at the age of 86 at Swindon's Great Western Hospital on January 5.

He was born at Corsham Hospital to Wilfred and Doris Bye on October 2, 1930 and was the second eldest of eight siblings, with three brothers and four sisters.

After returning to Calne from being in the army in Germany, where he was stationed for many years, John began to work in the slaughterhouse of the Harris Factory in the 1950s where he later met his wife Sybil Brewer, who worked in the pie room.

The couple, who were happily married for 64 years, had their first and only child Desmond shortly after, but returned to parenting through foster care where they helped to look after more than 30 children over a period of 20 years.

John, who spent the rest of his working life in the moulding department in Westinghouse, Chippenham, loved to tinker around, build full-scale models and fix anything he put his mind to.

He is survived by his wife, son, daughter-in-law, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Anyone interested in attending the funeral at West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington at 1.45pm on Thursday, February 2, should contact Odette Funeral Directors on (01249) 819972.