My friend Greg McCarthy, who has died aged 47 from a heart attack, was an in-character educator, and brought history to life for primary schoolchildren across the Midlands.
Through his own company, The Specialists, Greg delivered thousands of immersive, meticulously researched history sessions to children, taking on the personae of characters such as Gregolf the Viking and Gregorius the Roman legionary, among others. He frequently received glowing reviews from teachers and pupils alike.
Greg was born in Oxford to Michael, a financial adviser, and Jean (nee Poyser), a French teacher. The younger of their two children, he grew up in Crowborough, East Sussex, where, just before starting his secondary education at the local Beacon college (now Beacon academy), he was cast in the title role in a semi-professional production of Oliver! at the Assembly Hall theatre in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
He went on to work briefly as a child actor, appearing in an episode of The Bill, and in 1999 graduated from the University of East Anglia in film and English studies. It was there that Greg and I met and became friends.
After graduating, Greg briefly worked in television post-production, wrote and toured a one-man version of Macbeth, and was an actor in theatre-in-education. He met his future wife, Lisa Gregory, at a house party; they married in 2003, settled in Leicestershire, and had two children, Frankie and Rowan.
After gaining a primary school teacher qualification from Leicester University, Greg had a short stint in the classroom before landing a job as a museum educator with Leicestershire county council, based at Donington le Heath manor house near Coalville. The role enabled him to combine his acting talent, teacher training and passion for history.
The experience he gained there allowed him in 2009 to form The Specialists, in partnership with Lisa, with whom he co-ran the business, often delivering history sessions together.
In his spare time Greg was a Lego enthusiast, creating and exhibiting custom models at Lego conventions, while also amassing a considerable personal collection. He was also an avid collector of Marvel comics, and loved jazz, making and watching films, growing plants and looking after his cats.
A straight-talking person, he was unashamed to live his life in a way that was true to himself and chose to occupy his time with things he was passionate about. He had a tremendous sense of fun and silliness. More than anything he was devoted to his family and intensely proud of his children, who have inherited his determination and creativity.
He is survived by Lisa, their children, his sister, Esther, and his parents.
