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Michael Cuffe was born at Chester on the 8th of November, 1947, to Brendan and Kathleen Cuffe. His father died when he was very young and Michael, his sister and younger brotherwere brought up by their mother who sent the two boys to Belmont's former preparatory school, Alderwasley Hall. |
| Michael showed much general ability but distinguished himself in Fr. Bruno's amateur dramatics, taking leading parts in "Island of Sea Dreams" and "Visa-versa". In the summer of 1961, he came on to Belmont and joined Vaughan House. For 5 years he rose through the school to become one of its most notable characters; he was a monitor, member of the SFCI Committee, and Editor of the 6th form magazine "Jangler". In the theatre he was almost outstanding in an era when Belmont drama was itself at a peak. He took part in "The Importance of Being Earnest", "Hay Fever", "lolanthe", and most prominently he was 'Poo-Bah' in "The Mikado" and 'Norfolk' in "A Man for all Seasons". He left Belmont in 1966 to train as a manager with John Lewis Stores. In 1969, he decided to try his vocation at Belmont and entered the novitiate. He stayed for a further three years proving very useful in numerous minor administrative posts, including the school shop. However, he was frequently unwell and decided not to continue into solemn vows. For a short while he worked as a sales representative before taking up a teaching post at Llanarth Court, where he worked tirelessly for some eight years, teaching, producing plays, running outings and inspecting ears. Thus it came as a dreadful shock when in the midst of this hyperactive life he was suddenly taken to Cardiff Royal Infirmary in 1980 with a dangerous accumulation of fluid on the brain. Mercifully, he was cured of this rare affliction and, ever indefatigable, he returned to Uanarth within a few months only to be struck again, this time fatally, with a brain haemorrhage whilst out for an evening on holiday near his home at Lytham St. Annes in Lancashire. He died almost immediately on July 16th, 1982. Frs. Dominic and Christopher representing Llanarth and Belmont concelebrated at his Funeral Mass, at his home parish of St. Annes-on-Sea on July 22nd at which were present also many of Michael's relatives and friends. He will always be greatly missed by all those who knew him as a character and as a work-mate. His imitations of other Belmont characters are themselves still imitated today. Our deepest expressions of sympathy go to his mother, sister, brother and all other relatives. |