Having been Headmaster in two schools and after five years running a fine foods and cheese shop, Fred Sessa decided to resume his teaching career at the chalk face in Aylesbury Grammar School.

In September 1990 Fred began his ten-year stint here as an English teacher. In his spare time he was also editor of the Aylesburian, a UCAS Counsellor, a Denson Tutor, the funds collector for staff newspapers, flowers and cards, the presenter of countless assemblies, one of the most successful members of the staff golf team and proud possessor of the most stylish car in the staff car park. Fred will be remembered for all of this and much more.

As an English teacher his enthusiasm for literature was clear to see. As editor of the Aylesburian he cajoled colleagues to produce copy on time, followed up with all those vitally important visits to Bucks Print! As a UCAS Counsellor and House Tutor he attached a high priority to the needs of his charges, whether in writing a reference or "going to bat" for a member of his Tutor Group.

He is remembered here by former colleague Kathleen Ford:

"Fred Sessa had, I think, only been a member of the English Department for a short time when I joined, and I think that everyone who knew him at AGS would describe him as one of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. And he was different! He was American, for a start, and although he had been a teacher for many years, and loved literature, his passions in life were fast sports cars, especially classic  MG’s, golf, and his family. He and his wife Erica were soulmates, hated being apart. Fred had led an interesting and diverse life, had met interesting people, both in the States and the UK, and was always excellent company. He was also a practising Quaker, and although he never imposed his beliefs on any of us, or on the boys, he had a strong moral compass and hated injustice of any kind.

In retirement he was determined to write a “risqué “ best seller - but I don’t think he got very far with it! He would never tell us what it was about!"

We were saddened to hear of Fred's passing earlier this year and our thoughts are with his family and friends.