A special memorial service is being held to pay tribute to one of the county’s most well-known businessmen and colourful characters.
The service at Exeter Cathedral will celebrate the life of Ivor Doble who has died at the age of 96.
Ivor’s family go back through four generations and more than 100 years in the jewellery trade.
Ivor will also be well-known for his love of football. He was a life-long supporter of Exeter City where he will be remembered as the club chairman who brought Michael Jackson and an entourage of famous celebrities to St James Park.
Michael Jackson paid a charity event visit to City. Evidently, his appearance was a favour to his friend Uri Geller, the mystic who was co-chairman of the club at the time. Soul diva Patti Boulaye and magician David Blaine also made appearances.
John, Ivor’s son, recalls Michael arriving with two ‘giant men’- his bodyguards and being quoted £30,000 to hire a train carriage to bring him and his entourage from London to Exeter.
Ivor lived on the outskirts of Exeter and bought the woods there. He built a lake and would love to go down and sit by the water.
A ‘public’ celebration of Ivor’s life will be held at Exeter Cathedral on April 2 at 11am.
John says: “This is an open invitation to everybody to come along and celebrate his life.”
