Wirral Quiz Leagues is sad to announce the death of Malcolm Charles, secretary of Scumbag College, almost a year since his colleague, Anna Torpey, succumbed to cancer.
Malcolm died in his sleep on Monday 7th December.
An alumnus of Rock Ferry High School, Malcolm started his working life as a chemist at Lever Brothers but, by his early twenties, determined to pursue a career in teaching. Trained at Chester College, he first worked at Henry Meoles School, Wallasey. There he became an invaluable member of staff, not only because of his empathy with the pupils but his knowledge of science and his willingness to involve himself in every aspect of the school life.
A keen sportsman, Malcolm played amateur football to a high standard and, whilst Henry Meoles, contributed to staff cricket and rugby.
In 1982, Malcolm became Head of Chemistry at St. Mary’s College, Wallasey, a position he occupied until his retirement in 2010. In that time, he involved himself in annual trips abroad and his worked as Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator, as well as organising staff quizzes.
It was as a member of Wallasey Cricket Club that he became involved in the quizzes which were to consume the next thirty-five years of his life. Initially, as the leading man at W.C.C., and latterly, as Scumbag College, Malcolm developed that characteristic wry humour and encylopedic knowledge which everyone knew and loved. Malcolm was a polymath, but wore his gifts lightly. A fiercely intelligent man, he would logically pursue an argument with whimsy and humour, but still not lose his thread. The Quiz League will mourn his passing and our sincere condolences extend to his wife, Helen, and his two children, Julia and Nick.
May he rest in peace.