Kevin John Patrick Purcell Gildea was a devoted Old Trident whose loyalty to Trent College spanned more than 70 years. A member of Wright House from 1952 to 1955, Kevin was also a school prefect. He maintained a lifelong connection with the school, giving around 50 years of service to the Old Tridents Society committee and serving as its President from 1982 to 1988.

He was a man of considerable energy, resourcefulness and determination, with a strong sense of community, a love of construction and, above all, a deep commitment to his family and to helping others.

The affection in which Kevin was held was evident at his memorial service, attended by more than 100 people, with a particularly strong showing of Old Tridents, many proudly wearing their OT ties. It was a fitting reflection of the lasting friendships he had built and his enduring place within the Trent community.

A lifelong connection with Trent

Kevin's journey to Trent began long before he arrived at the school at the age of 13. Born in London while his parents were living and working in West Africa, he and his older sister, Oonagh, spent their early childhood in the care of the 'Aunties', alongside their cousins Paddy and Philippa. The Aunties cared for children whose parents were working overseas, and it was here that Kevin and Oonagh gained two much-loved 'extra sisters', Tessa and Lizzie, whose place in the family endured throughout their lives.

Following the death of his grandmother, Kevin's grandfather moved to Kenya, and Kevin and Oonagh travelled out to join him by boat, unaccompanied. During the six-week voyage, Kevin was kept busy helping the purser search for a missing can of stripped paint, with seemingly no cupboard or part of the ship out of bounds. Life in Kenya brought further adventures, from exploring the bush with his uncle Reg and riding on horseback to learning to drive at a remarkably young age. By the time he returned to the UK to be educated at Trent, Kevin was fluent in Swahili and had already accumulated a wealth of stories and experiences.

Kevin loved his time at Trent, where he formed deep friendships and bonds that would last a lifetime. Those friendships extended far beyond his own schooldays, becoming part of the fabric of family life for subsequent generations. As his daughter Deborah reflected in her eulogy at her father’s Memorial Service held on Wednesday 14 October 2026, the families of his closest school friends became their much-loved 'extra cousins'. These included James and Gill, whose father Richard Scaling was Kevin's best friend, and the Robinson family, whose eldest son, Richard, was one of Kevin's godsons. The friendships formed at Trent continued through the lives of their children and grandchildren, a testament to the enduring connections the school can create.

Kevin's affection for Trent was reflected in his extraordinary commitment to the Old Tridents Society. As a long-standing member of the committee, he played an important part in its life, bringing his own ideas, enthusiasm and willingness to get things done. His time as President was particularly memorable, and his contribution helped sustain the friendships and traditions that make the Old Tridents community so special.

His resourcefulness and flair for making things happen were perhaps best demonstrated when the Society celebrated its millennium dinner at Chatsworth House. Kevin simply picked up the telephone and cheekily asked the Duke of Devonshire himself if the Old Tridents could come and have dinner at his house. The result was a memorable occasion that perfectly captured Kevin's approach: if you wanted something to happen, it was always worth asking!

Kevin was also a great friend of fellow former President John Shelton, who sadly passed away only a few months before him. Their friendship reflected the enduring bonds formed at Trent College and the importance Kevin placed on maintaining those connections over a lifetime.

A builder by profession and a champion of opportunity

Construction was Kevin's great professional passion, inspired from an early age by his grandfather, who took him around building sites and taught him that practical skills could provide a livelihood and enable people to support their families.

After leaving Trent, Kevin pursued his building qualifications, attending college in Brighton four nights a week while travelling from Eastbourne. His early experiences were characteristic of the man he became: practical, determined and undeterred by the obstacles in his way. His daughter Deborah recalled family stories of journeys that rarely went entirely to plan, including one occasion when a broken gear stick left Kevin driving his van all the way home in reverse.

Kevin went on to build a successful career in the construction industry, running his own business and providing opportunities for many others to learn a trade. He was a passionate advocate for apprenticeships, encouraging young people to recognise the value of practical skills and helping them find a route into employment. He also supported curriculum development at Leamington Technical College and spent time encouraging teenage boys at a local comprehensive school to consider careers in the construction industry.

His contribution to the profession was recognised through his appointment as an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building. Among the projects of which he was particularly proud was the construction of The Other Place, the Royal Shakespeare Company's theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Kevin's commitment to using his expertise for the benefit of others continued into retirement. He advised a housing association in Birmingham, personally inspecting fire doors and listening to residents' concerns, and served for more than ten years as clerk of works at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon, helping to maintain and improve a building that meant a great deal to him. The church extension became his final building project.

A man of character, humour and community spirit

Kevin's influence reached far beyond his professional life. He played rugby for London Irish while studying for his building qualifications, reflecting his pride in his Irish heritage, and remained a lifelong rugby enthusiast. He was also a generous supporter of his local community and charities.

Rob Bowen, Old Trident, knew Kevin both professionally and through their families' longstanding connections with Trent. He remembers a man with a formidable grasp of financial and taxation matters, strong opinions and a willingness to debate how things should be done.

He also recalls one particularly endearing habit. Kevin had little faith in the Royal Mail, despite his daughter Deborah having worked for the Post Office, so rather than posting correspondence to him, Rob arranged to leave it at reception and telephone Kevin to collect it. This meant a regular half-mile walk to the office. Whether this reflected a genuine distrust of the postal service or simply an excuse for some fresh air and an inspection of the town's shop fronts was never entirely clear!

When Kevin became too unwell to make his regular walks, one of the office juniors took over the role of postie, a small but touching illustration of the affection and familiarity he inspired in those around him.

Above all, a devoted family man

For all his achievements and contributions, Kevin's greatest legacy was the family he built with his wife, Penny, to whom he was married for 63 years, and their daughters, Emma and Deborah, and grandson, William.

Deborah's reflections offered a touching insight into the values Kevin lived by: the importance of family, resourcefulness when things go wrong, and using one's talents for the benefit of others. These were principles he demonstrated throughout his life, through his work, his friendships and his commitment to his community.

His story also reminds us that family is not defined solely by blood. The friendships formed in childhood and at Trent, the 'extra sisters' and 'extra cousins' who became part of family life, and the connections that continued through successive generations were all part of the rich legacy Kevin and Penny created together.

Kevin Gildea leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service, practical achievement and enduring friendships. His loyalty to Trent and the Old Tridents Society, his contribution to the construction industry and his generosity towards others will be remembered with great affection. The many Old Tridents who gathered to remember him, proudly wearing their OT ties, were a testament to the lasting bonds he helped create and the community to which he gave so much.

Rob brought his Memorial Service tribute to a close with words attributed to Winston Churchill that seemed particularly fitting for Kevin's character:

“I'm ready to meet my maker. Whether my maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.”

It was a fitting final thought for a man who lived life on his own terms, made things happen and left his mark on so many people and places.

Our thoughts are with Penny, Emma, Deborah, William and all Kevin's family and friends.

With thanks to Deborah Gildea and Rob Bowen for sharing their reflections and memories of Kevin, for writing this In Memoriam tribute.

  
Kevin pictured (left) being awarded his Honorary Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Builders and (right) with fellow OT Society Trustees David Harrison (l) and Rex Gooding (c)