Tributes paid to Ronnie

Club Chairman Clive Irwin said he was “honoured and privileged” to work closely with Ronnie in his capacity of Member of the Management Committee, and for the last 15 months as Honorary Secretary of the club.

Ronnie was described as “a man of great principle and fortitude.”

Clive continued: “He was not verbose, preferring to reflect quietly and carefully before he delivered his concise and well constructed view.

“He was my right-hand man and I shall miss him and his wise and firm counsel greatly.”

He also stated: “Ronnie’s contribution, socially, organisationally, and practically, to Lisburn Racquets Club, and the squash club in particular, cannot be overstated.”

Derek Rollins was a squash partner and close friend of Ronnie and confirmed that his involvement in club life “went far further than his roles as Trustee and Honorary Secretary of Lisburn Racquets Club, Squash D-team captain, and Squash Ladder Secretary.”

Derek added: “Reliable beyond anyone’s imagination or expectation, he was Mr Fix-it for all manner of things, dedicating seemingly endless energy and time to a multitude of tasks.

“Ronnie did all this in his quiet unassuming way, and was the current Squash Clubman of the Year; an honour he’d also held in the past.

“His loss to the club is immense, and we will miss him terribly as a club-mate and friend but no loss of ours can come close to that felt by Jenny, their daughter Susan, and sons Marc and Simon, and our thoughts are with them, Ronnie’s mother, his grandchildren and the wider family circle.”

Ronnie’s funeral took place in Roselawn Crematorium yesterday (Thursday 3 March) at 1.00 pm.