Rarely is the notion of “living life to the full” as apt as it was for Cyril Nemeth, who has died a few weeks short of his 91st birthday. It is no exaggeration to say life was his career. Throughout the decades, he received accolades, honours and distinctions, representing one or other of his many activities.
Cyril Nemeth was born into a traditional Orthodox family in Gateshead. His father, Eugene Nemeth, and an uncle, Sam Nemeth, were both ministers to Jewish communities in the north of England before going into business, while two other uncles, Morris and Emil, became full-time rabbis in substantial London communities.
Cyril Nemeth’s upbringing was thus highly religious, though his early education combined the yeshiva with the relatively free-ranging Gateshead Grammar School, where he revealed an aptitude for sport, playing rugby and cricket and triumphing in athletics.
At home, Cyril and his brother Gerald, while not rejecting their strict home environment, broadened their vision and leaned towards a more flexible view of life. They didn’t so much break the rules they had inherited as gently ease themselves free of their grip. Gerald, having gone to Durham University to study medicine, encouraged Cyril to follow a similar path — which he did, going up to Downing College, Cambridge just after the War.
Cambridge was for Cyril a period of total enjoyment. His studies were augmented by a full social life, plenty of sport — he took up rowing and gained a half-blue in table tennis — and membership of the Cambridge magic circle.
He completed his medical training at Westminster Hospital and, while Gerald became a successful Hollywood psychiatrist, Cyril decided on a suburban general practice in Northwood Hills in 1952. In the same year, he married Lucille Foux.
Cyril revelled in general practice, in which he worked until the mid 1990s. While still in Northwood, he chaired the Hillingdon Family Practitioners’ Committee. And when he and Lucille moved with their children, Gillian and Richard, to St John’s Wood in 1983, he worked both locally and in private practice in Harley Street. He would say that, “if you can’t find out in ten minutes what is wrong with a patient, and what’s interesting about them, you shouldn’t be a doctor.”
This was a philosophy he cultivated over years dealing with a vast range of patients. He was the doctor for Royal Jordanian Airlines, travelled to Kuwait and also attended members of the Qatari royal family, among others.
Literate, gregarious and having a strong social conscience, Cyril Nemeth was a natural for public life. A magistrate on the Uxbridge bench, he was a councillor in both Hertfordshire and Westminster. As a Conservative, his political career with Westminster Council continued for 24 years until 2014, when he was 87 and still reluctant to stand down — since at the previous election his was the only Conservative majority to increase.
Lucille was a staunch ally of Cyril in all he achieved, demonstrating great individual strength. When their daughter Gillian was ill — and, not long after the family moved to St John’s Wood, sadly died — Lucille was her devoted carer. She shared the highlight of her husband’s time in politics when he became Lord Mayor of Westminster in 1992-93, and she, herself a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London, performed a whirlwind of civic duties.
Beyond Cyril’s political and medical activities, mention must be made of his charity work, his love of Judaism and his delight in being a clubman.
He served on committees for the United Westminster, and the St Marylebone Alms Houses. He was involved with the British Friends of the Hebrew University, the Octavia Housing Association, the Medical Widows’ and Orphans’ fund, the International Red Cross and, often with Lucille, raised money for a number of other charities.
Although Cyril’s level of religious observance became more relaxed over the years, he remained a very proud Jew, retaining a deep knowledge of Judaism. He participated enthusiastically in St John’s Wood Synagogue services — and in the shul “Kiddush club”, wherein he acquired something of an expertise in whisky and vodka!
Cyril’s gregariousness could be gleaned from his membership of the Carlton Club for over half-a-century — receiving a lifetime membership last year — and the Athenaeum for almost as long. At the latter, he chaired the talks committee, bringing in many an illustrious speaker. But it didn’t end there, for among many others, he dined with the Knights of the Round Table, the Union Society of Westminster and a couple of livery companies.
Cyril Nemeth was appointed MBE in 2006 and an Honorary Alderman of Westminster after his retirement. An outgoing public figure, in his private capacity he was warm, generous and convivial. He is survived by his wife Lucille and son Richard.
Gerald Jacobs
Dr Cyril Nemeth, MBE. Born May 6, 1927. Died April 10, 2018
