This week's funeral and death announcements in The Chronicle include tributes to Paul Gerald Hopkins, a former Butlins Red Coat from Wardley. Paul passed away peacefully at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 5th August 2026, aged 59 years, surrounded by care and love.
He was a much loved son of the late George and Rita, an amazing brother to Sue and the late John, and a special uncle to Ryan and Reece. He will be remembered for his kindness, warmth, sense of humour and the happiness he brought to those around him. His loss will be deeply felt by all who knew and loved him, but the memories he leaves behind will be treasured forever.
Service details and tributes
A service to celebrate Paul's life will take place at Saltwell Crematorium on 25th August 2026 at 12.00pm. Those attending are asked to wear a splash of red in honour of his fond times as a Red Coat at Butlins. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend for refreshments after the service at Leam Lane Social Club.
Flowers are welcome and to be sent directly to Regent Funeral Services. Donations in memory of Paul are welcomed, if desired, and made to the Stroke Association. All enquiries to Regent Funeral Services on 0191 4334499.
Other notices published this week
Among the other death notices published this week are tributes to Kevin Stephen Curry, who died suddenly at home on Tuesday 4th August 2026 aged 42 years. He was a much loved son of Susan and a loving brother of Liam and Gemma. His funeral service will be held at West Road Crematorium on Monday 24th August at 11.00am, with donations gratefully received on behalf of Tyne Housing Association.
Ethel Oliphant, formerly of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and Bedlington, passed away peacefully on 6th August aged 98 years. She was the beloved wife of the late Joe, much loved mother of David and Josie, devoted Nana of Sue and Julie, and a loving Great-Grandma and Great-Great-Grandma. Her funeral service and cremation will be held at Cowpen Crematorium on Monday 24th August at 1.45pm, with donations if desired to The Great North Air Ambulance Service.
Ronald Gilbert of Walkerville passed away peacefully in hospital on August 11th, aged 77 years. He was a dearly loved husband of Lynne (Davison) and a much loved father, brother, brother in law, uncle, cousin and friend to many. His service will take place at the West Road Crematorium on Monday 24th August at 11.45am, with donations if desired for Prostate Cancer and St Oswalds Hospice.
Further announcements and how to publish
Sylvia Margaret Lawson (Nee Johnson) passed away peacefully at Ferguson Lodge Care Home on Monday 10th August 2026 aged 84 years. She was the beloved wife of the late George, devoted mum of Malcolm, Gillian, Janice and Martin, and treasured nana of Thomas, Matthew, Kane, Charlie, Keira and Josie. Her funeral service will be held at West Road Crematorium on Wednesday 26th August at 1.15pm.
John Little of Wallsend passed away peacefully in his sleep on 8th August, aged 89 years. He was a cherished husband of Eva, dearly loved Dad to Ian and Dawn, and devoted Grandad to Adam, Melissa, Holly, Ellen and Great Grandad to Eliza and Harris. Family and friends are asked to meet at Whitley Bay Crematorium on Thursday 27th August at 12 noon, with donations welcome in lieu of Mind and Alzheimer's Research.
Every notice published to the newspaper and news site also appears on funeral-notices.co.uk, the UK's number one site for death notices and memoriams. Each notice remains online forever, providing friends and families with a lifelong tribute to their loved one, a safe place online to share memories, add tributes, photographs and make donations in memory. To read the latest announcements and add tributes, or to create a funeral notice yourself, visit funeral-notices.co.uk or call 01482 908084.
