Paul Petrovitch, Sanderson’s 1955–1960 (March 2022)

Paul Petrovitch always spoke very fondly of his time at Lancing College. He regularly attended the reunion dinners where he enjoyed catching up with old friends, many of whom he remained in contact with throughout his life. His time at Lancing was marked by various sporting achievements, in particular swimming, cycling and cross country running. He joined Sanderson’s in 1955 after attending prep school in Norfolk. 

Paul was Serbian, born in Belgrade in 1941 during the Second World War. He and his mother arrived in England in 1947 when Paul was aged six to be with wider family already settled in London. Paul’s laid back and easy-going personality served him well at Lancing and later at the University of St Andrews where he studied Physics and Chemistry. There was a lot of laughter and fun during these days; tales of clandestine trips to the cinema in Brighton while at Lancing and the amateur dramatics and house parties at St Andrews. 

Paul then trained as an accountant, and was involved in many different businesses, re-structuring and transforming companies and introducing innovative technologies such as the first electric calculator! 

He met his wife Diana in 1969, had two children (Simon and Elizabeth) and made a home in West London. During his retirement, Paul volunteered for St John Ambulance, becoming Commander of London District for a year. 

Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013; despite his illness he enjoyed a good quality of life and shared many travel adventures with Diana. 

He passed away peacefully on 19 March 2022. Diana, Simon and Elizabeth were never far away during his final months and weeks and miss him very much.