A life in the Island’s headlines, rediscovered through friendship

For decades, Gerry Moglione has given his time, energy and enthusiasm to life on the Isle of Wight. Now, at 91, he has been looking back over those memories with the help of his Age UK Isle of Wight volunteer befriender, Stephen Matthews.

What started with a weekly visit and a conversation has uncovered an extraordinary archive documenting Gerry’s contribution to Island life across more than half a century.

When Stephen first began visiting Gerry through Age UK Isle of Wight’s befriending service, Gerry started telling him about some of the things he had been involved with over the years.

Stephen admits that at first, he struggled to believe quite how much one person could have done.

“On our first visit, Gerry said, ‘I did this, I did that.’ I thought nobody can be that good. I thought nobody could have done everything he was telling me about.” 6 Oct at 11-45

As part of Gerry’s goal to look back over his life and achievements, Stephen began trying to find out more.

After first approaching the local library, he was directed to the Isle of Wight Record Office. With Gerry’s permission, Stephen asked what they might have relating to his life on the Island.

The answer was: quite a lot.

Stephen said the Record Office themselves were surprised by just how much material they had documenting Gerry’s contribution to the Island and particularly his work with young people. They supplied a collection of newspaper articles which Stephen has since been taking along to his visits a few pages at a time. 

More than 30 years inspiring young Islanders

Born in Liverpool in 1935, Gerry served in the RAF in Germany before training as a teacher and eventually making the Isle of Wight his home.

He went on to spend more than 30 years working in education on the Island, including as Head of Physical Education at Cowes High School and later as a Head of Year and founding member of staff at Medina High School.

The newspaper archive stretches back to the 1960s, with photographs and stories showing Gerry working with young people through sport, outdoor activities and education.

Looking back on his career, Gerry recalled what mattered most to him:

“I enjoyed teaching, especially the less able kids and the less well-off kids.” 

Former pupils still remember him too. As Stephen began speaking to people about the project, he repeatedly found Islanders who recognised Gerry’s name and had their own memories of being taught by him, playing sport with him or even travelling on school skiing trips. 

A lifetime of Island sport

Sport became one of the biggest threads running through Gerry’s life.

From school athletics and local clubs to the Isle of Wight Sports and Recreation Council and the Island Games, Gerry spent decades helping to create opportunities for people to take part.

He was involved with the Island Games Association and represented the Isle of Wight through the Games, as well as speaking up over the years for sporting facilities and opportunities for young Islanders.

His contribution was such that one newspaper article described Gerry as “one of the most influential figures in Island sport.”

And when asked which of the many stories Stephen had uncovered particularly stood out to him, Gerry quickly returned to the Island Games, describing them as a very important part of his memories. 

Retirement didn't mean slowing down

Gerry's contribution to the Island certainly didn't end when his teaching career did.

He continued to be involved in community life, including volunteering with the Friends of St Mary’s Hospital, where he supported fundraising and projects benefiting local patients.

He also kept remarkably active. Gerry continued skiing well into later life, ran keep-fit sessions and even completed a parachute jump to raise money for his local church.

During our conversation, the suggestion that most people might choose to take things easy in retirement prompted a typically simple explanation from Gerry: he suddenly had “more time.” 

Bringing old memories back

But the collection Stephen has put together is about more than creating a record of Gerry’s achievements.

Each week, the newspaper articles give Gerry, Stephen and Gerry’s wife Margaret something new to talk about.

Old photographs and stories have prompted memories of schools, sporting events, friends, colleagues and moments Gerry had not thought about for years.

During one of their conversations, an old article about Gerry’s involvement with St Mary’s brought back a memory he had previously forgotten. 

Margaret has become part of the weekly conversations too. What initially began as an opportunity for Gerry to enjoy some male company and spend time talking with Stephen has become something they can all share together.

And Gerry's verdict on Stephen's visits is wonderfully straightforward.

Asked whether he enjoys having Stephen come round, Gerry replied:

“Oh, lovely. Lovely.”

The pair agree that they enjoy a good chat, with others around the table joking that they “never stop talking.” 

What volunteering can give back

Their story is also a reminder that befriending can mean just as much to the volunteer.

Stephen originally decided to volunteer following the loss of his partner, when he found himself looking for something meaningful to do.

He said:

“Somebody suggested this and it’s been the best thing that could have ever happened to me. It’s given me a new lease of life.” 

Through his weekly visits, Stephen has been able to help Gerry work towards something personally important to him, while the pair have built a genuine friendship along the way.

Watch Gerry and Stephen's story

Our Marketing & Digital Communications Officer, Joe, recently had the privilege of visiting Gerry and Margaret at home alongside Stephen and their carer, who has become very much part of the family.

Their conversation, memories and plenty of laughter were recorded and brought together into a podcast-style video, alongside photographs and some of the newspaper articles Stephen has uncovered.

You can watch Gerry, Stephen and Margaret share their story in the video on our Facebook page here

Gerry's archive is an incredible record of one person's contribution to the Isle of Wight. It is also a lovely example of what can happen when a volunteer gives some of their time, gets to know someone and helps them with something that matters to them.

Could you give some of your time to an older Islander?

Find out more about volunteering with Age UK Isle of Wight and the different ways you can get involved.