John Zammit-Haber
Written by Rosemary Zammit-Haber
John was was born on the island of Gozo, Malta’s sister island, in January 1948 to an English mother and Gozitan father. He came to England to further his studies in October 1966 and while he was working at the Cohen’s 600 Group in Wood Lane opposite the BBC Centre, he applied to become a TA with the Corporation.
In April 1970,he began his training at Wood Norton. His first posting was to Skelton in Cumbria followed by several months at Woofferton, near Ludlow. He then went to Wrotham for a short time and eventually moved to the transmitter at Sutton Coldfield. In 1971 he married Rosemary whom he had met 3 years before in London and they set up home in their first house in Tamworth. From Sutton Coldfield, he was sent on attachments to Peterborough and then in September 1975, to Bressay, Shetland Isles.
The following year, John was posted to Beckley, Oxford and the family moved house again. During the next 4 years, he went on attachment to Falkirk for 4 months, then to Rowridge, Isle of Wight for 11 months. His final posting was to Tacolneston in September 1980 where he became a senior broadcasting engineer. Although it was suggested he should apply for more senior jobs, John had had enough of travelling, he had built his own house and he wanted to enjoy being with his growing family. He retired at the age of 61 in 2009.
One of his proudest moments was when his son, John Anthony, decided to train as an electrical engineer and graduated from Brunel University. He then went to work for National Grid. For a time, both father and son were employed by the same company.
John made many life long friends, whom he first met while working alongside them. He was always good company, had a cheerful disposition and a mischievous smile. He enjoyed passing on his knowledge to young trainees. When it came to fixing transmitter faults, however difficult, he would find a way. He was a friend to all which was apparent by the many ex colleagues who came to his funeral and who sent messages of condolence.
He leaves behind his widow Rosemary, daughters Ellen and Catherine, son John Anthony, and grandchildren Zacci, Daisy and Bluebell, Mary, Gemma and Hannah. We all miss you so much.