I have seen that Thomas Schmidt-Kowalski has been discussed at this board - though he is still living and composing happily!
Therefore I would like to put another living composer on the map: Ian Venables
http://www.ianvenables.com/ (http://www.ianvenables.com/)
He was born in 1955 and could be described as a latter day romantic. There is certainly nothing post-modernist about his sincere music.
I was lucky to do a thorough by-ear-analysis of his masterful Piano Quintet some year ago. His workmanship is beyond question and the quality of his inspiration never falters.
If you like Finzi, Howells and Barber try out Venables. Songs and chamber music have been issued by naxos, SOMM and Signum.