Ralph Stanton
It must be over sixty years ago that we met Ralph and Irene through Ronnie and Gaby Jeffries. It was at a party in Platts Lane when Irene made a spectacular entrance with her youth and her beautiful emerald necklace.
What Evi, Gaby and Irene had in common was being Spanish speakers and what we all had in common was being continental Europeans who had found refuge in England. Over the years we attended each other’s family events both joyful and sad.
There was another party, this time at the Stantons, when the wind just swept away the tent’s roof, leaving many drenched and we all had to scurry into the house for shelter. Ralph took it all in his stride with his usual calmness.
Ralph was one of nature’s gentlemen, ever charming and ready to help. We had many occasions to call on him for his expertise in all things mechanical, electrical and DIY. “Phone Ralph” was everyone’s usual reaction to any issues requiring his know-how. He seemed to have a full armoury of tools in the back of his car and luckily he was always happy to use them.
Ralph rarely spoke of himself, or his own life, experiences and problems, of which there was no shortage, as Andrew in his moving Hesped pointed out. He was not a man of many words but when he did speak he was worth listening to and demanded attention.
Rather sadly over the past few years we saw much less of each other through age, which made any sort of mobility a difficulty unnoticed before, and of course Irene’s memory loss. We do, however, rejoice in recalling Ralph’s ninetieth birthday party and his sheer joy at being together with his family and friends.
We will always remember and think of him as one of the nicest, kindest and most gentle people we ever knew.
Ralph Stanton
It must be over sixty years ago that we met Ralph and Irene through Ronnie and Gaby Jeffries. It was at a party in Platts Lane when Irene made a spectacular entrance with her youth and her beautiful emerald necklace.
What Evi, Gaby and Irene had in common was being Spanish speakers and what we all had in common was being continental Europeans who had found refuge in England. Over the years we attended each other’s family events both joyful and sad.
There was another party, this time at the Stantons, when the wind just swept away the tent’s roof, leaving many drenched and we all had to scurry into the house for shelter. Ralph took it all in his stride with his usual calmness.
Ralph was one of nature’s gentlemen, ever charming and ready to help. We had many occasions to call on him for his expertise in all things mechanical, electrical and DIY. “Phone Ralph” was everyone’s usual reaction to any issues requiring his know-how. He seemed to have a full armoury of tools in the back of his car and luckily he was always happy to use them.
Ralph rarely spoke of himself, or his own life, experiences and problems, of which there was no shortage, as Andrew in his moving Hesped pointed out. He was not a man of many words but when he did speak he was worth listening to and demanded attention.
Rather sadly over the past few years we saw much less of each other through age, which made any sort of mobility a difficulty unnoticed before, and of course Irene’s memory loss. We do, however, rejoice in recalling Ralph’s ninetieth birthday party and his sheer joy at being together with his family and friends.
We will always remember and think of him as one of the nicest, kindest and most gentle people we ever knew.
