Ronald Victor Alton (13 Feb 1929 - 21 Nov 2018)

In loving memory of Ronald Victor Alton who sadly passed away on 21st November 2018

Ron was born on 13th February 1929 in Ilford, Essex (as it was then) and was the only son of Florence and Vic Alton.

After being evacuated with his school at the start of the Second World War, Ron left school at the age of 14 and was apprenticed as a process operator in the print in London, following in his father's footsteps.

Ron met his wife Jean and they married in 1954 and a few years later moved to Thundersley. Ron commuted to London before working in Southend and then at the Evening Echo newspaper when it was established.

Jean and Ron's son, Paul, was born in 1966 and he has happy memories of his childhood in a loving home with the best parents anyone could wish for.

Ron briefly worked at Valentine Press in Basildon before retiring, which gave him more time to devote to his hobbies, most of which centred around his love of music and photography. As well as playing keyboards and the saxophone, he was a big fan of the jazz scene in Essex, and could frequently be found in the audience at various jazz clubs, including the Belvedere Jazz and Music Club, of which he was a long-term member.

Unfortunately, Jean contracted cancer and Ron lovingly nursed her throughout her illness until she passed in 2003. Ron never got over losing his Jeannie, but now they have been reunited after he passed away following a short illness at the age of 89.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Ron's life at Southend Crematorium, in Sutton Road, at 12.40pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, and afterwards in the Stable Inn at the Chichester Hotel, Old London Road, Wickford, SS11 8UE. The Chichester is where Ron could be found every Wednesday evening at the Belvedere Jazz and Music Club.

We are asking for family flowers only, with donations to Cancer Research UK. These can be made online at this site, but a retiring collection will be made after the service. The funeral directors have advised that cheques made payable to Cancer Research UK are advisable instead of cash.

Thank you for all your condolence cards and messages of sympathy. They have been a great comfort to the family and we hope to see you on December 11 to celebrate Ron's life.