The following obituary was written by Lorraine Judge

Michael J Judge 1934-2024

Michael passed away peacefully at home in his sleep supported by his wife Lorraine after suffering for five years with Dementia.

Michael Judge was born and started life in Bromley with his parents Justin and Phyllis Judge and elder brother Victor (HS 44-48). His father Justin, a solicitor, was senior partner in the family firm Judge and Priestley.

Michael followed his elder brother Victor to Tonbridge School where he studied Classics and won an Exhibition to Worchester College Oxford. In his final year he played MacBeth for a week in the School play, although his most memorable performance was apparently impersonating Al Johnson singing "Mammy" at a House concert.

On leaving Tonbridge Michael served two years in the National Service and when made an officer was stationed at Plymouth. Sadly, his father died at this time, and it was agreed that rather than going to Oxford he should become a solicitor and join Victor in the family firm which he did in 1959 having passed his finals with Honours.

In 1959 Michael met his Lorraine at a party in London and after a whirlwind romance of nine weeks they married in 1960. Two years later Edward (Sc 75-80) arrived followed by Georgina.

Apart from his work Michael played rugby at Westcombe Park Rugby Club and rose to captain the Extra AXV. He enjoyed many years playing tennis, hacking in Knole Park, skiing in Scotland and Europe, spent weekends on his cruiser on the Thames, fly fishing with brother Victor, playing Bridge at Andrew Robson's Club in London and travelling the world on family holidays.

Michael was president of Bromley Law Society and declined National President because of work commitments. For 6 years he was a Sevenoaks Conservative Councillor. He chaired the Tonbridge Masonic Lodge twice. He was a dedicated supporter of Bromley Round Table and with six others started a successful car hire company called U Drive. Later he became a member of Rotary and Probus. He was founder member of both the Sunrise Club and Advocacy First a charity for those who could not speak for themselves.

Thirty-five years ago, Michael and Lorraine became Catholics and for nine years, after training, spent the first week in May with.the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta attending to sick pilgrims in a hospice in Lourdes.

Retiring at the age of 71 Michael stayed on the solicitor's register to enable him to help others and was recognised by the Law Society for achieving 60 years.

Georgina, his cricket and rugby companion through seven of his retirement years, sadly died in 2012. Edward and Belinda's sons Ollie and Max were a joy to him. He was a big man with a big heart and to quote the ending of Edward's eulogy "You have led a long, happy, successful life in which you helped more people in your professional and charitable careers than we will ever know."
(HS 48-52)