Victor (Vic) Joseph Pike

Victor (Vic) Joseph Pike (1946 – 2024) was born on 9 June 1946 in Amersham to Maggie and Joe Pike, their second child. Valerie was his older sister, Michael and Josie his younger brother and sister. Returning to London, the family initially lived in Deptford before moving to a new estate in Downham, near Bromley.

In 1965 as a member of the Fisher Boxing Club Bermondsey, Vic became the South East of England Divisional Amateur Boxing Champion.

After leaving school at 15, with his friend  Paul Jones (Jonah), Vic worked in Spitalfields Market and followed Jonah into the Merchant Navy.  Returning to London, Vic and Jonah established a commune in the basement of Greenwich Market and ran a hippy clothing store ‘The Greenwich Family’.  Vic had various occupations, including running ‘Black Market’ a record store, working in construction, selling fast-food from a van, running a delicatessen in East Greenwich and furniture restoration.  In his fifties, after completing a Foundation Diploma in Welfare Studies, Vic became a Probation Officer.

Vic met Janet whilst living in the commune and their son Joe was born in 1973.  After marrying in 1978, Jessie was born in 1979 and in 1984, Karl.  Vic and Janet moved to Sidcup before returning to London and then Ramsgate.  Vic and Janet had a granddaughter Rosa.

Other than his passion for music, Vic followed his socialist beliefs in equality and opportunity for all.  He was an active campaigner, supporting many causes.  Amongst others, he marched against apartheid, the miners’ strike, poll tax and the Iraq War.  His hero was Tony Benn and he admired Fidel Castro, visiting Cuba in 2016.  Vic became a volunteer and then a trustee for the charity MIND and after he retired he volunteered at the Garden Gate Project in Margate.