Timeline of Life
Here you will find a collection of photos celebrating Julian’s life - moments shared with his friends, loved ones and family. This gallery is a space to remember the laughter, adventures and connections that made him the man whom he was.
If you have photographs you’d like to contribute, we’d love to include them as part of this shared memory. To submit your photos for inclusion, please click the button below.
All submissions will be reviewed before being added to the gallery.
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1962
Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia
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1962
Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia
Julian, and his father, Peter -
1964
Location unknown
Julian, Lorenza (Julian’s mother) holding Patrick, (Julian’s Brother)
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1975
Box Hill, Surrey
Julian 14, Antonella 10, Patrick 13, Christina 3
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1980
St Mary’s and Joseph’s Church, Hanwell
Christina’s (Julian’s youngest sister) first holy communion, with his brother Patrick and Antonella, his younger sister.
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1981
Brecon Beacons
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1985
Piramidi di terra
(Earth Pyramids), Italy
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1990 June
Bagshot, Surrey
Julian with his first born, Chloe. June 1990.
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1997
Polruan, Cornwall
Julian carrying Clarissa on their favourite walk. Our family have walked this route every year since this date!
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2001
Washington DC
Julian, Best Man for Mel Christie at his wedding in Washington: HIs best friend from St Benedict's School (Ealing)
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2001
Washington DC
Julian’s Best friend,
Mel Christie, Wedding in the States.
Photo of Julian, Chloe, Clarissa and Annie Christie.Julian held Annie and Melville Christie with such high regard, two wonderful people who treated Julian as their own son.
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2002 December
Wentworth, Surrey
This photograph was taken in the basement of a friends house on Wentworth, where Julian gave a Lindy Hop class as a surprise gift for Brooke’s 14th birthday. Brooke is the daughter of Julians friend Donald Burfitt-Dons, they first met through the girls’ primary school, where both Don and Julian were governors. What began as a school connection grew into a lasting friendship, and this joyful dance lesson was a perfect way to celebrate her milestone birthday. The basement was transformed into a lively dance floor for the evening, filled with laughter, music, and the slightly chaotic enthusiasm of first-time Lindy Hoppers.
Submitted by L. Burfitt-Dons
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2002 December
Wentworth, Surrey
Brooke at her 14th birthday party, at the Lindy Hop lesson Julian gave. She says she remembers the dance to this day.
The photographs submitted by Louise Burfitt-Dons.
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2008 August
Tenerife
Julian spent a few summer holidays amongst dance friends and their families. So many good laughs and memories created in these moments. All these children are now grown up with their own families and will always talk about these times when they see each other.
Photo submitted by Christine Leach
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2009 December
Surrey
When one of Julian’s friends Daughter, Brooke had her 21st birthday, there were only a few people she wanted to celebrate with her, and that included Dr. Chen. He gifted her a crown - an unexpected generous present and true to his nature.
Submitted by B. Burfitt-Dons
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2011 July
Julians Home, Andover
Barn party 2011 (Vicki’s 21st)
Julian, Vicki, Amanda
Submitted by Vicki
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2013 April
Venice, Italy
Julian didn’t take many holidays, however, when he was convinced to take one, he always loved visiting the country he spent his childhood growing up in. This photo was taken on a holiday with his family and friends.
Submitted by Amanda Parkinson
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2015
New Street Dental Care, Andover
Julian pretending to be a patient with tooth ache, waiting to be seen in the best dental practice!
This is when the practice had not yet opened but was decorated, ready and waiting for its first patients.
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2017
Andover
Julian and his younger brother are both dentists. Patrick and Julian both needed some dental care, so Patrick came to visit one weekend and we had a family afternoon of dentistry! Chloe and Clarissa took the opportunity for a social media post promoting mouth cancer awareness month (hence the purple lipsitck!)
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2017 February
Andover, Hampshire
Julian and Manuela, before she presented her award to him.
Submitted by Manuela Garry Wahnon
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2017
New Street Dental Care, Andover
Julian won an Attitude of Gratitude Award
Three generations together : parents, son and grand daughters
Submitted by Lorenza Chen
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2017
Julian’s Home, Andover
When the Family gets together it becomes a crowd and it is always a happy reunion when we all meet up, this time in Julian’s place.
Submitted by Lorenza Chen
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2018
Andover
Julian was very passionate about networking events around Andover to promote their business. Chloe and Clarissa, after years of dragging them to them, really love them and the connections they have made through them
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2019 August
Lyndhurst, New Forrest
Julian loved photography and had many different cameras. Clarissa started to share the same passion and they went on an amateur photography course together to learn how to ‘properly’ use their cameras.
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2020 April
New Street Dental Care, Andover
Julian was amongst the first dentists to become a face fit tester, for masks that were used in healthcare during Covid-19. He was ahead of the majority of the dental and health care when it came to opening the practice safely using the best technology and safe practices. Many others in the field turned to him for advice and he was ready to give it to help his profession.
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2023 - Present
Janakpur, Nepal
Julian made a magnificent donation of a CBCT to the Craniofacial Centre Nepal and on behalf of Future Faces, and me personally, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to him for enabling even better care for the very poor people of the poorest province of Nepal. Forever grateful. His name will live on there and in many hearts.
Submitted by Tony Markus
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2023 April
Pergine, Italy
The Chen family took a trip to their Italian home to place their Father/Grandfather in the family ‘luogo di riposo’ (resting place).
A beautiful time for them all to reminisce their childhood in a stunning place to grow up.
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2023 September
Bagshot, Surrey
Julian with his Daughter on Clarissa’s wedding day outside her family home.
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2024
Julian considered this night to be one he greatly enjoyed he loved the music and atmosphere
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2024
Germany
Julian and his friend, John Davies, raced their colleagues to Germany for a dental implant event. John and Julian when by road on their bikes while the others got the plane. I bet you couldn’t guess who won!
The motorbikes one by three minutes!
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2024 November
Treworgy Cottages, Looe, Cornwall
A fond memory for the family: Christine turned 60 and had a special holiday with Chloe and Clarissa at their favourite Holliday destination - Treworgy Cottages. Julian also loved this place and rode down to surprise the Girls in his 3 wheeler motorbike. He got caught in the rain but that didn’t dampen his sprits for the journey he loved.
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2025
Romsey
The Mayor of Test Valley’s Burns Night event. Chloe, Sally and Clarissa attended with him. And of course Max (the dog) waited patiently in the car.
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2025 February
Lorenza’s Home, Andover
With Mum and Uncle Silvio raising a glass before flying off to Sweden to see the Northern Lights.
They enjoyed their time together this evening so much Julian didn’t have time to go to sleep before their early flight that morning!
Submitted by Lorenza Chen
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2025 February
Sweden - Ice Hotel
It was on Julian’s ‘bucket list’ to see the northern lights and stay in an ‘Ice Hotel’. In February of 2025, Julian, his family, and medical team fought to get Julian there in-between treatments for his health. it was a fantastic and memorable trip for his family who joined him: Chloe, Clarissa and Sally. Sadly, they didn’t catch the northern lights, but that did not stop him from having the most amazing time. His daughters will remember this trip for a lifetime: full of unbelievable fun and laughs together.
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2025 May
Julians Home
Julians retirement party! After 39 Years in Dentistry, it was time for Julian to ‘officially’ retire. Many friends of Julian would have thought Julian to never retire. He spent his retirement party surrounded by colleagues who had supported Julian in his career for the passed 10 years in Andover.
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2025 July
New Street Dental Care, Andover
A great business achievement for Julian. His Business New Street Dental Care turns 10 years old. This was a great milestone that was spent celebrated with Colleagues and Patients that had known Julian for many years throughout his time as Director of the Dental Practice. He is very missed by all his colleagues.
Memories
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"I have had many dances at various events. I loved Julian's quirky sense of style and fun. I remember him as a kind gentle man with a cheeky Twinkle in his eye and a real sense of fun. I have put a date in but it's not accurate as we have danced many times.... The last time was at Ener Jive..."
S. Stephens’ memory (2024)
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"Unfortunately, I have no photographs to add, but enjoy so many happy mental images of dancing with Julian over many, many years. I first met him at Enham Alamein Institute Hall, and he scared me with his direct, piercing look as he led me through a dance. But I soon learnt how to divert him - or return the look - and that he had a wonderful laugh. Years of jive, ballroom dancing, etc. followed, and my last and favourite dance with him was at Winchester Guildhall, when everything clicked, the music was just right and we finished with that great laugh; something I treasure. Julian was one of those humans who touched peoples lives in so many ways, and will be fondly remembered."
T. Cobbold’s memory (known Julian for 25 years)
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“Julian gave a Lindy Hop class in the basement of our house on Wentworth as a gift for Brooke’s 14th birthday, and we have so many fond memories of him. I also want to thank him for the loving care he showed Brooke when her teeth were smashed by a fellow pupil at Coworth Park, when she was just 11. It was a deeply traumatic time for her, and his kindness, patience, and treatment over the years that followed helped her through the ordeal, for which I will always be grateful.”
L. Burfitt-Dons memory (2006)
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"I first saw Julian a little over 20 years ago, when we had started Modern Jive around Andover & Newbury, and I heard about some good midweek lessons in Whitchurch. We went along and had a very good night with a lesson from Amanda and Julian. At the end of the evening Julian said they had some news; he announced that they were stopping their weekly lessons and passing the business on to someone else. However, I got to know Julian and Amanda over the years at other dance venues and when they started offering lessons, with guest teachers, at 'The Barn' out at Clatford we had many happy afternoons learning ballroom, tango plus blues and more jive out there. Eventually after I left the Army, and after a bad experience with an NHS dentist, I heard that Julian was a dentist. Since then I always went to his various practices; first up towards London (Weybridge), then in Romsey and eventually in Andover when he opened up in New Street. Whenever we met we would reminisce about our separate Army days, and we continued to bump into each other (not literally...) at various dance venues. Julian was always a gentleman, always happy to chat and always interested in how people were getting on. In recent years, when first I and then my wife went through our separate cancer treatments Julian asked after us and offered kind words. I knew that his cancer was not going as well as he hoped and we exchanged the occasional message as we went. I last heard from him 2 weeks before ge passed; I didn't know then how serious his condition was becoming and he sent me a nice message offering Diane and myself comfort for our own troubles. I will miss Julian; his smile, his charm, and his gentle nature."
P. Wilson’s Memory (knew Julian from 2003)
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Julian, always known as Dr. Chen for me, has had such a deep and profound impact on my life. He was my childhood role model of good in the world and a symbol of honesty. I went through a difficult time at school and Dr. Chen handled multiple dental surgeries trying to save my broken front teeth. His sensitivity throughout meant so much. There was quite a bit of drama around the incident and I struggled with the untruths. Dr. Chen didn't have to, but he stood up for me. Not as a family member, but a friend. I felt quite defeated and Julian showed me how much kindness there is too. I think I would have gone crazy without him. He made me smile on the countless number of hours we spent together over my teenage years. One of the many contributions to my life is his love of music. I longed so much for access to as much music as possible. He always played different albums. When I hear these songs, I always think of him. He introduced me to Joss Stone. One surgery lasted the entire album. I loved it so much that I got my parents to buy it afterwards. The connection grew to friendship. For my 14th birthday party, he came to teach Lindy Hop to my classmates. It was a completely memorable party for all and such a blast. Last month, I finished a movie where we had a Lindy Hop dance class scene. I instantly thought of him and surprised the cast with what I knew from all those years ago. When I had my 21st birthday, there were only a few people I wanted to celebrate with me and that included Dr. Chen (photos attached). He gifted me a crown - an unexpected generous present and true to his nature. He made this world a better place. He's greatly missed but I think fondly of him often and will continue to speak of him for the rest of my life.
B. Burfitt-Dons’ memory
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“Julian possessed the innate ability to be everything to everyone he came into contact with. The very first time I encountered him, I was mesmerised that a dentist would come into the waiting room and greet me personally. When of course, it is the norm that you're called for by name. His courtesy was only surpassed by the patience he extended, backed up by his expertise in his chosen craft. Julian exuded an exquisite aura that I tuned into seamlessly. His smiling demeanour never impeded his ability to keep an eye on the clock so that succeeding patients were not inconvenienced by the extra time, he needed to spend on my inability initially to calm my nerves. He was a one-off, but thankfully, with two daughters to carry on his legacy, we who loved him have not lost him completely.”
Manuela Garry Wahnon’s memory
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"We hadn’t been in Andover long when I needed dental work on a poorly tooth. I called the practice out of hours and left a message asking for help. The practice called the next day and made an appointment. From the moment I met Julian I can honestly say that I have never experienced such professionalism and outstanding patient care. How he treated me and helped me will always stay in my memory. He was a kind, incredibly knowledgeable and proved to be an excellent dentist. From that appointment I knew I wanted to remain a patient at the practice and have stayed along with my family. Julian you built a legacy and it will live on through your family and the practice. We were privileged to have you."
C. Cooper’s memory (2025)
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"I met Julian at a dancing event many years ago where we engaged in many a conversation. In particular we would discuss time served in the forces. Although not serving directly with each other it was a great kinship to talk about ”shop”. I remember and his partner in the Isle of White trialling dancing to a track for a wedding to see if it was do-able. We had a good laugh and many a fond memory. Julian, you will be missed brother. In Ardius Fidelis."
Antony’s Memory (23 November 2024)