AUBURN – Geoffrey Richard Shovelton, 80, of New Portland, passed peacefully, in the company of a dear friend, in the evening of the fourth of July, 2016, at the Androscoggin Hospice in Auburn.
He was born on April 27, 1936, in Atherton, in Lancashire, England, the only child of Richard and Kathleen Shovelton. After attending the Salesian College in Bolton, he studied geography at Hull University. After this he moved to London, where he became a teacher, as well as working on his ambitions as a singer. Whilst rising to the role of Senior Geography Master at the Salvatorian College, Harrow, he studied voice with Dino Borgioli, Roy Henderson and Denis Rowling, who developed his tenor voice. While still teaching, he won awards in singing competitions at ’s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands and Verviers in Belgium, which spurred him to pursue a professional singing career.
He started in oratorio, then quickly rose to principal tenor with Scottish Opera and Basilica Opera, until he was signed as the principal tenor for the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company for their 1975-6 tour. He was renowned for his work with them, singing Gilbert & Sullivan in the UK and on tour in America, where he inspired and entertained with, amongst others, his Nanki-Poo in The Mikado, Tolloller in Iolanthe, Colonel Fairfax in the Yeoman of the Guard and Luiz in The Gondoliers. When the company closed in 1982, he continued to sing Gilbert and Sullivan, both in the UK and abroad, until his retirement in 2005. He continued to produce, direct and give talks on Gilbert & Sullivan from 1995 onwards.
Geoffrey met his first wife, Margaret while at Hull; they married and had three children in Pinner, Middlesex. The marriage became increasingly unhappy in the late 1970s and early 1980s. When Geoffrey met Deborah Anne Clague in 1985, it was clear to both of them that they had met their soulmate. After his first marriage had been annulled, Geoffrey and Deborah married in Kingsthorpe (Northampton) on Sept. 25, 1993. In November of 2001 they moved to Maine, to be close to Deborah’s mother Nona and step-dad, the late William Gardiner Young.
Geoffrey was an immensely talented artist, having many of his “Shov” cartoons published. His gift for drawing, lettering and cartoons was frequently used by the D’Oyly Carte, as he designed and drew many posters, flyers and pieces of artwork for the company. He also created the book covers and illustrated poem collections by his former tutor and friend Jay Appleton “Grains Among the Chaff” and “Enter the Fat Lady.” He had a keen and observant eye, able to make quick sketches and water colors that captured the essence of his subjects. He enjoyed photography, with his trusty SLR always close to hand, often loaded with slide-film. He was also a first-rate raconteur, able to hold listeners rapt with stories of his youth, life on tour, or, with a twinkle, long stories about three-legged chickens. His epic slide-shows when he arrived back from his American tours were the stuff of family legend.
Geoffrey was a gentle and peace-loving man, rarely known to raise his voice when not on stage. He was a loyal friend, who accepted everyone for who they were and stayed closely in touch with friends old and new throughout his life. He loved conversation: whether talking with devoted fans backstage, colleagues on tour or shopkeepers when buying ice-creams for his children, he was always great company and a good listener. He was a doting, if necessarily itinerant, father, endlessly patient and generous in his interest, his wisdom and his delicious birthday cakes.
Geoffrey’s beloved wife Deborah died on June 2, 2016, from non-smoking related lung cancer. He is survived by his children: Claire, Dominic and Bruno; their mother Margaret; his grandchildren: Max, Leo, Jasper, Lydia, Daniel and Ivo; his cousin Irene; and many dear friends.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on Wednesday morning, July 27, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Middle Street, Farmington, with Fr. Paul Dumais officiating. Following Mass, a comfort reception will be held in the church undercroft, hosted by the Altar Guild. All are welcome.
Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com. Cremation services are in the care of the Cremation Care Division of the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., (Rtes. 2 & 27) Farmington.
He will be sadly missed. Such a kind and gentle man with a booming voice. We certainly loved him at St. Joe’s. God rest your soul, dear Geoffrey.
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Geoffrey’s family and closest friend. We will always remember this fine, talented and eloquent gentleman with great fondness. It was a true delight to have known him. It seems fitting that he and Deborah will rest in peace together in his beloved homeland of the U.K.
A very fine man and a wonderful support to Deb and Nona. I remember him in Scotland when he toured high schools with the Scottish Opera touring company – how could one ever forget a personality and voice like Geoffrey’s. A great loss but he will be singing again with his soulmate now.