George 'Sonnie' Gibbard, grandson of famous Gypsy evangelist Rodney 'Gypsy' Smith, passes away at the age of 80 - London

From the Redbridge Guardian

The grandson of a famous Victorian Gypsy evangelist has died at the age of 80.

George Gibbard of Ashford Road, South Woodford, was proud of his Romany Gypsy roots and with his wife Rosemary, 79, they travelled in Slovakia, Romania and Hungary every autumn for 25 years, working with the charity Gypsies for Christ.

During his younger years Mr Gibbard, who was also known as Sonnie, served as president of the Gypsy Council, which supports gypsies living in the UK on issues of equality, education, health and human rights.

Mr Gibbard was a committed Christian and sat on the church council at Holy Trinity Church in Hermon Hill, South Woodford.

His grandfather, Rodney ‘Gyspy’ Smith was awarded an MBE for his services to the gospel during the First World War.

His birth place in Epping Forest is commemorated with a memorial stone close to Waterworks Corner in Woodford Green.

It is only one of two memorials on Epping Forest land – the other being a memorial to MP for Woodford Winston Churchill in High Road.

Mr Gibbard was married to his wife Rosemary for 22 years before he passed away on March 6 from cancer.

She said: “Travelling around Europe kept us interested in life – it kept us more lively.

“He was a very hard-working person. He was a very unusual man and had a larger than life personality.

“We had a very happy and interesting life together. I was glad to share his life and I will miss him.”

Although the couple did not have children together, between them they have seven children and eight grandchildren.