Vince Linnane 1964-2021

Vincent Linnane passed away suddenly on 16 December 2021.  He was a big man, a ‘gentle giant’, who always had a kind word for everyone and saw the best in people.  He was born in 1964, the son of Patricia and Frank Linnane. Frank was a Warrant Officer WO1 and served with the SAS. Vince was educated at Kings School in Gutersloh, Germany and was Head Prefect. Vince was very athletic in his youth and early university life. Vince held the longest javelin record at his school which survived right up to the closure of the school in 2019. This was followed by Keele University where he read International Relations and played basketball for British Universities and semi-pro basketball for Ellesmere Port. While in many ways a private man, he managed to connect with so many people across a wide range of interests. He ran his own successful insurance business specialising in the furniture sector and sat on the boards of several businesses including the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman and the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation. He was a freemason and was the Master of the Holborn lodge in 2015. 

He joined The Furniture Makers’ Company as a freeman in 2013, became a liveryman in 2014 and was elected to the court in 2017, later being appointed honorary treasurer.  Vince put in a huge amount of pro bono time to get to grips with this role. In so doing he updated the reporting system and oversaw the implementation of a new finance structure in the office. Away from the treasurer role, Vince was a staunch supporter of membership and fundraising events; it was rare to be at a Furniture Makers’ event without spotting Vince somewhere in the crowd.  Vince will be sorely missed by his many friends and family. We mourn the loss of a true gentleman and pass on our sincere condolences to his brother Kevin and his family. 

Vince’s funeral will take place at 3.00pm on Friday 18 February at the Grange Road Crematorium, Poplar, E13 0HB. This will be followed by a reception at Furniture Makers’ Hall, 12 Austin Friars, London.

Livery members wishing to pay their respects and attend Vince’s funeral are kindly asked to confirm their attendance by emailing Jonny Westbrooke: clerk@furnituremakers.org.uk.