Life Story Part 4 :: 1974 - 2008

The business continued to flourish with Eric's unique contacts across the world providing the ability to purchase specialist libraries and the well-established mail order format enabling the antiquarian and second hand books to be offered throughout the entomological community across the globe.

Eric was also invited to become a member of the Entomological Club, the oldest and most exclusive of the entomological bodies confined to around a dozen distinguished entomologists who meet once or twice a year to dine and talk entomology.Many more titles were published by E W Classey Limited and by Hedera Press, a publishing house created by Eric and named after the Latin word for Ivy.

Peter joined the company to immerse himself in the world of Natural History publishing and bookselling.

In 1976, Sally left the company to work with her husband in his property renovation business.

 

 

 

Eric and Ivy love their roles as Grandparents, seen here with John and Nicola (Lyn and Wendy's children) in 1979.

 

 

The business then relocated to occupy Oxleaze Farmhouse, a beautiful Georgian farmhouse with outbuildings suitable to house the administrative functions and also as living accommodation for both Eric and Ivy and Peter and Stephanie.

Sadly in 1982, after suffering from cancer for some years and bearing it with amazing bravery and dignity, Ivy died.  She left a gap too big to be filled.

The rest of the family continued to blossom - Peter and Stephanie had a daughter, Adriana, in 1982. Sally and Francis already had one daughter, Holly, born in 1980, and then Cristabel was born in 1983.

Eric remained living in Oxleaze for some time where he and Peter carried on running the business.

Recognition for his service to the entomological community was still forthcoming and Eric was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during a centenary celebration for the Royal Entomological Society held in the Royal Zoological Gardens in Regents Park, London.

Eventually, after some years, it was decided to transfer the business to shop premises back in Faringdon.  Eric moved to Bampton in Oxfordshire where he continued to work in the business where his unique knowledge was so invaluable. 

 He also still travelled around the world to visit his many friends scattered across the globe and remained a steadfast contributor to the entomological community.

In 2001, Eric became a great-grandfather when Holly gave birth to her daughter, Mia.  Holly's son, Alfie, followed in 2002 and Elliot in 2008.  Eric delighted in his new role! 

And over the following years,  a new area of research opened up for Eric.  He dived into the world of "Genealogy" - and with his usual energy and commitment, he pieced together a formidable family tree.  In the process, he made new contacts - again all over the world - who share the same family roots.  This incredible task has lasted many years and the documents and photographs will continue to fascinate future Classey generations into the future.

Eric had 92 years full of variety, challenges and successes, sharing most of it with Ivy, and together they created a world-renowned business, forged lasting friendships across the world, travelled to places most people only dream about, raised four children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  What an achievement!