The obituary notice of William John Dowell (John) LEAN

R.I.P John. I played in a blues band with John in the early to mid 1990's and lost contact with him until around 2015 when he popped up at a gig i was doing in truro was great to see him ,just the same humble man i remembered. He then started to follow my band around a little bit whenever he could was always good to see him for a catch up. So sad to hear of this passing of this nice humble man. He will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences go out to his family xx

In memory of my grandad who was one of God's greater gifts.
I am so grateful to be a part of this family tree, and also to be known as a grandson of the funny, charismatic, strong, loving man that John was. He always spoiled and loved those around him, and I loved him dearly back. It's such a shame how life has to deliver blows like this, but his transition to heaven was not a painful one. I had many laughs, hugs, and memories around this legend of a man. He lived one of the most fruitful lives a man can, and God is lucky to have him drumming away in the clouds.
Rest in peace John, the top man

In memory of John. 

John was my cousin, 10 years older than me but we became great friends when I was in my teens. He inherited the Hug dry sense of humour and always had a twinkle in his eye. 

Every summer he used to bring his mother, my aunt Maudie, to Alverstoke, Gosport to visit her family, the Hugs. John introduced me to jazz and blues music and from when i was about 15 we used to go to music clubs together when he was visiting (with the permission of my parents, who were also very fond of him, of course ! ). Quite often to The Marquee, The One Hundred Club and Ronnie Scotts, in London, travelling in the pick-up truck he used for his scrambling bikes. He was very good company and I really looked forward to these visits. 

Later we lost touch a bit, although we always tried to meet up when he came to London for performances at the Globe Theatre, Shakespeare was another of his interests. We had a number of reunions of the quite numerous Hug cousins at Stokes Bay in Alverstoke in recent years. These photos are of the last one he came to in August 2023, accompanied by Caroline, whom I met then, with great pleasure, for the first time. 

Great memories, John, I still enjoy the music. 

Caroline Lang

In John's later years I went into look after him on afternoons through the summer. It wasn't the most exciting work but I got to see him and spend time with him more than I used to. We used to go to the Victoria Inn for lunches, they were good times. I'll miss him, very very much and I hope he finds his friends and family in heaven.

Safe travels pops - we had some fun times! see ya on the other side 🫡 x