Welcome and Introduction
Today we honour Ron’s memory and all that he has been to us. He has been an example of someone who really took what life offered and made the most of it. He was principled and creative, fun and adventurous. Now he has his cap from Will for his final cruise.
It’s a very sad time now. But looking back over Ron’s whole life, his life of over 84 years, with all sorts of memories over that time, there’s surely some comfort? There is such a lot, which gives us warm memories to celebrate in this ceremony today. Though sometimes those memories renew painful feelings of loss, and it’s hard to feel that we can celebrate this life which is lost to us. Grief is complicated.
The end is still a shock, despite Ron’s decline in health in the last year or two. Today is filled with grief, sadness and distress. But can we hold that on one side, and also take some comfort from our past times together?
A very positive thing that we can do is join the family in their support for the charity Kidneys for Life. Something that can make a difference.
Afterwards everyone is invited to the North Cheshire Cruising Club, High Lane (details on the Order of Service). Isn’t that the perfect place to share more memories?
Ron was hardworking, positive, resourceful, creative, an enthusiastic member of NCCC, and above all a loving family man.
Ronald Axon was born in 1940 and grew up in Stockport, with his parents Kenneth and Gladys. He went to school in Stockport. His start in life was during the Second World War, and it was actually dangerous, even where they lived. A very early memory of Ron’s, was of a bomb dropping on a neighbour’s house, and their piano shooting out of the front door in the blast. A startling image that stayed with him.
Ron was an active lad, he loved being out on his bike, cycled everywhere, cycling was his passion. In his teenage years, he even cycled all the way to Belgium, with a bunch of pals, Youth Hostellng on the way. He was in the Scouts. So we see that Ron’s practical and active approach, with a love of the outdoors, started right from his childhood.
Ron and Gillian – Gill – met through work, as young people, both employed in a company called Piggott and Whitfield, where Ron served his apprenticeship to become an electrical engineer and Gill was a shorthand typist. On their first date, they went to see a play by the Poynton Players – a nice link to their granddaughter, who has acted there.
From the outset, Ron and Gill were a great team, happy together doing things together – and their love of boats started right from those early days. Here’s an account which Gill wrote of one of their earliest projects together. The account is called “Two in a Canoe in 1962”.
It was after seeing two people in a canoe on the River Derwent at Matlock, that my boyfriend and I decided to build one of our own. As the material, when it arrived, included two 15-foot pieces of timber, one for the keel and one for the hog, together with two sheets of heavy-duty canvas, we found it necessary to hire a stable from a nearby farm, in which to commence building operations.
During the next four weeks, every spare minute that we had, was spent there. All the frames and stringers had to be both screwed and glued, in order to make the boat completely waterproof and my allotted task was to mix the glue to the correct consistency. An electric fire had to be used, when putting on the canvas, as it needed to be made pliable with the heat, in order that, when allowed to cool, it would tauten like a drum. At the end of the month, we proudly towed the canoe away, behind our tandem and you can imagine the surprised comments we received en route.
On the day of the official launching in December, snow was falling heavily and the ice was thick on the canal. Undaunted, we gently pushed ‘Blueberry’ through a crack in the ice and drank a small bottle of champagne each, the usual practice of breaking a bottle on the bow, being quite out of the question.
Spare a further thought for Ron and Gill towing their new canoe – the two of them on a tandem, towing a trailer on which was their canoe, what an image that brings to mind! No wonder it made heads turn!
But this also illustrates, even as young people, how practical and skilled they were and what a great team. And how they loved being on the water.
They joined the North Cheshire Cruising Club with Blueberry, and loved exploring the countryside from the Inland Waterways, paddling along, seeing the wildlife, an idyllic time. NCCC was at the centre of their lives from then on.
Later the same year as building the canoe, Ron and Gill were married. That was on 29 September 1962, with a wedding reception at the Ram’s Head in Disley. Then they moved into their first house on Garthland Road. In due course they had their boys, Michael and William. Ron made Michael and Will’s childhood fun by making climbing frames, sledges and some amazing go-karts and he even made them for other children on the road, so they could all have fun together.
Earliest family holidays would be in Cornwall, in Newquay, and then for many years, they went to the Isles of Scilly, which from then on, became a huge favourite place for Ron and Gill, and indeed the whole family. In later years, he was pleased to visit the Scillys with Will, Sandra, Rebecca and Holly.
In his working life, Ron moved on, and we think he was actually head-hunted by McVities, where he worked for the majority of his career. He made a real impact at McVities with his practical, resourceful, “can-do” approach. A particularly significant success story though, was his refinement of a piece of equipment, which had been very dangerous, and had been resulting in accidents, in which some of the women operators lost their fingers. Ron saw this problem and recognised it was totally unacceptable for the factory to have such dangerous equipment. He designed a modification which made such accidents impossible. For his invention, he got an award, for which he went to an awards ceremony in London. That’s a great legacy. Ron got early retirement from McVitie’s aged 56. He had had a brilliant career there, rising from electrician to foreman, and carried with him, a love of Jaffa Cakes. Shares in Jaffa Cakes may now be vulnerable.
The NCCC was at the centre of Ron and Gill’s social life throughout their lives together. Ron was sociable and friendly, and contributed to the community. He was Commodore in 1982, a particularly successful time for the Club, with events that Ron and Gill instigated, regularly selling out. What times they had! New Year’s Eve parties, all sorts of social events, children’s parties, such fun times, with all the family involved of course. Michael and Will grew up immersed in activities at NCCC. They were always making things, preparing for events, painting and working at the Club…. Ron put his heart and soul into the Club. A little legacy there, that he remained rather proud of, was his mirror ball, a huge mirror ball in fact, made by hand, all those little mirrors stuck on individually. It’s still there now.
An early memory is playing at home and listening to music flowing around the house, Ron’s choice often being Kenny Ball and his Jazz Men. When Will was choosing music for today, it brought back early memories, and so, to link back to those times, we had a track from Kenny Ball at the start of this ceremony. There’s another link here too – at one time, Ron was an unofficial roadie for Kenny Ball and his Jazz Men, helping with the electrics at their gigs. Incidentally, Ron taught himself to play the guitar. Another achievement of this admirably skilled man.
Back to the boating, Ron and Gill had moved on from Blueberry, to Mandy (a boat bought from a McVitie’s colleague), a little bright orange boat on which all 4 of the family were able to sleep – just. The young family went all over the place in Mandy, having great times on different canals. Then there was Karen, a boat which Ron and Gill worked on and made beautiful. Memorably, they took Karen to Windermere, where they had a great time.
Ron and Gill had so many friends at NCCC. They socialised often with special friends Claire and Ken. They had many outings on their boats together and coach holidays too with NCCC. Every Christmas Eve, they spent with Claire and Ken and several other friends at dinner ‘do’s’ – dressing up specially for the evening.
Holidays abroad were enjoyed enormously by Ron and Gill. They went to the Greek Islands – and Majorca, which became such favourite destination.
As you will all know, Ron was always making things, creative, practical, driven to see projects through to a conclusion. Not resting til the job was done. He helped others – he made a fitted kitchen for Will and Sandra. He could simply do, make, or repair anything! In his later years, he liked to make exquisite scale models, from brass and copper, which he cut and prepared himself, not kits, demonstrating extraordinary skill.
Ron was very pleased to help Will choose his first boat. They both went all the way to Scotland to find the right one and then it had to be transported and launched on Lake Windermere, one of Ron’s favourite places. Ron enjoyed many trips on Fantasia with all the family.
Ron and Gill were delighted to become grandparents to Michael’s Laura, Emily and James and great-granddaughter Katie; and Will and Sandy’s Rebecca and Holly.
When Gill sadly died in 2012, Ron was devastated. He lost his love, his partner, his purpose. His life changed forever. But another chapter was about to begin. As Claire explains, after both Gill and Ken had died, there became a natural progression from a comfortable and understanding friendship between Ron and Claire, to a deeper, closer companionship. They had such a lot in common, with their families’ friendships over so many decades, with NCCC, dining out, a love of holidays abroad and cycling. Indeed, Ron took up cycling again with Claire on the trails.
A very special holiday for Ron and Claire was going to see Michael, by that time, living in the USA, who invited his Dad and Claire out for a couple of wonderful holidays. They were most grateful for such great experiences. Ron and Claire were able to visit Las Vegas, San Francisco, and flew over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter with Michael’s son James. What a truly memorable exciting experience.
Ron was an enormous help to Claire, with all the jobs she kept finding for him. Ron was such a clever man. Anything broken, he could fix and would never rest until he had found a solution to mend whatever it was.
Ron was loved by all Claire’s friends for his jokes, he loved nothing better than making people laugh.
Something that seems somewhat in contrast to all else we have been remembering about Ron, was his concern for, and determination to find out about, every last thing to do with his health. “Dr Ron” the family nicknamed him, from his Google searches, his detailed knowledge and his approach to conversations with the doctors.
Ron and Claire both continued to be totally involved in the NCCC, and Ron loved his beloved boat – now Shropshire Lass. Claire says: I was lucky enough to go on the Thames twice with Shropshire Lass. Towed down there and back, and dropped in the river for a full month of adventure.
Ron also took Claire to his favourite place The Isles of Scilly. They had many holidays there, at a lovely cottage “Gull’s Way”. It suited them both down to the ground:- Hopping-off boat trips to various islands, walking round idyllic coastal paths, eating crab sandwiches, and Cornish cream scones.
They went many times together to the Canary Islands for holidays where they met two friends from Scotland. Ron and Claire remained very close to them and they have stayed with them many times at the cottage. Camp de Mar in Majorca was also a special place with them.
Over the last three years, Ron struggled with his health. He battled on until the end. He was always optimistic. Many friends helped during this final difficult and sad time. Claire’s friend Beryl was a tower of strength and support, especially through the last months. She actually gave Ron and Claire their last happy meal together at her house for Claire’s special birthday. A happy memory to treasure. It turned out to be the last proper meal that Ron ate, and managed to enjoy.
In his final days, Ron who had always enjoyed his food, could no longer eat. It was heartbreaking to see an abandoned Jaffa cake, untouched in his kitchen, he couldn’t even manage that. But he remained alert and sharp to the end of his life.
Claire says: I wish I could have looked after him right to the very last, but he went into a nursing home only for the last two weeks, where he got all the care he needed at that stage. Indeed, it would have been impossible to look after Ron at home, and the care at Adlington Manor was outstanding. The staff there thought the world of him. Will and Sandra were fully involved, fully supportive and helped to look after Ron, with love and kindness. Ron was so happy when Will agreed to take on Shropshire Lass, and keep her cruising. She was Ron’s beloved boat for 37 years. This was something that they were able to discuss in Ron’s last days and which, Will knows, pleased his father enormously.
After their mother’s death, Michael and Will and their families were pleased that Claire came into their Dad’s life and reignited the Axon smile. Claire loves Ron’s family too – she has said how she so loved those times in America with Michael’s family. The family support and love for one another was abundantly clear in the final period of Ron’s life, Will and Sandra fully involved. Everyone together. Everyone supporting one another. It’s when these bonds really count.
On 2 April, Ron died at Adlington Manor, having seen Will and Sandra that day, and holding Claire’s hand as he passed away. So sad – such a wonderful, generous, funny man – so sorely missed forever. May he rest in peace.
Memories of Ron
Ron was a talented engineer and able to do or make anything. He used his skills to help others, from the McVitie’s staff no longer at risk of losing their fingers, to the multiple ways he has taken care of jobs for his family and friends.
Ron was a well organised person. His period as Commodore of NCCC was marked by events of great popularity, with all that Ron and Gill put into them. You could rely on Ron to get things done.
Ron was generous to his family and friends. Generous with his time. Generous with sharing his skills.
Ron lived his life to the full. He loved his boating. He enjoyed wonderful holidays throughout his life. He relished dining out, and loved his food. He specially loved Sandy’s trifle! He just embraced life wholeheartedly and got the most out of everything.
Ron was sociable and friendly. He liked nothing more than being in a group and telling jokes. He was popular. He was good to be with. He had a nickname for Sandy – “Ratbag” – and that was her nickname for him too!
Ron was positive, a “glass half-full” character. He always looked on the bright side. Even in his final illness, he battled on, expecting to overcome the medical problems.
Ron was above all, throughout his whole life, a loving father, grandfather, husband and partner.
To hear what has been said about Ron is inspiring. Wouldn’t any of us be so proud, to have those closest to us, wish to share the thoughts and memories, that I have been able to talk about today? Aren’t those the best tributes that there can be? The best evidence of family bonds and true friendships. The best evidence of a life well-lived.
Ron loved you and was himself loved by you. Two ways. What more do any of us want, than throughout our lives we are naturally at the heart of our families, and our closest friendship groups, and in what’s going on. Ron cared for others but was always himself well cared for and loved, right to the very end of his life. We see so much evidence of such love in what’s been said today. That’s to take comfort from now. What wonderful times you have had together.
Ron, your days with us here may have gone,but your spirit has touched the lives of people here today. Although there is deep sadness in your leaving, your life will always live on in the hearts and minds of your family and friends. Never to fade with time, you will always be with them, always be remembered.
Next time you eat a McVitie’s Jaffa cake, think of Ron and smile.