Page 55 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2017

54 OBITUARIES OBITUARIES 55

ANTHONY ALBERT BLACKHAM ROBERT ADRIAN GOEMANS

OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1942 - 1948 OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1952 - 1959
SEPTEMBER 25TH 1930 - APRIL 18TH 2017 JANUARY 6TH 1942 - MAY 27TH 2017

Anthony Albert Blackham, known to all as Tony, was born in Born in 1942 in Spalding, Lincolnshire, for his uncle in the flower nurseries in
Wolverhampton in 1930 to Ethel and Arthur – a brother for Bob was the first son of Dutch parents, the bulb-growing area of Hillegom. On
Sally. He had a wonderfully charmed and carefree childhood at Helena (née Van de Poll) and John returning to England, he went to study at
the family home of Tinacre. At the age of seven, he went away Goemans. His childhood was spent at Wye Horticultural College in Kent. In the
to school to Grace Dieu Manor, and later, to Ratcliffe College, their family home, where the first flower- early 1960s, Bob succeeded his father
where he spent many happy years relishing all that education growing nurseries of the family business at the helm as Managing Director of the
had to offer. His fascination and thirst for knowledge was (Parigo Horticultural Company), under the company, and it expanded considerably
soon apparent, along with his sense of fun. He remained loyal direction of his father, were established. over the next decade.
to Ratcliffe for the rest of his life, and for many years, he was His younger brother, Frank (61), born
a trustee of the Ratcliffian Association and served on their some two years later, eventually joined In 1968, at the age of 28, Bob married
scholarship committee. He enthusiastically supported the Bob at Grace Dieu and Ratcliffe. Today, Paula (Pauline Coe), sister of Brian Coe
spectacular growth of the College. The School helped to instil Frank still remains actively responsible (60). Their daughter, Melanie, was born his physiotherapist and an excellent
his steadfast and unwavering Catholic faith, and he became a for the company’s specialised plant in 1970, and their son, Robert, in 1972. consultant, he was able to stay in his
stalwart of his local Catholic parish. production near Chichester, West Sussex. Bob enjoyed an increasingly busy social own home until the end of his life. He
life during the years that followed, died peacefully in the Pilgrim Hospital,
Keen to follow on in the family business, Tony left Ratcliffe and Bob went to Grace Dieu when he was eight, with a circle of close friends and a Lincolnshire on Saturday 27th May, aged
went to London to qualify as an Ophthalmic Optician. He became and on entering Ratcliffe at twelve years substantial involvement in Rotary, the 75 years. Bob leaves his brother, Frank,
the fourth generation to preside over H Blackham and Son in of age, he was immediately marked as a Flowers Publicity Council, the National his son, Robert, his daughter, Melanie,
Wolverhampton. Initially, he worked alongside his father, who star A-stream pupil. At the age of fifteen, Farmers’ Union, the South Holland and seven grandchildren.
soon realised that the business was in safe hands and retired to he was already in the Sixth Form, having Growers Association, the Horticultural
follow his passion for collecting antiques. With Tony at the helm, passed Advanced Level examinations Development Council, and in raising Many will have their own particular
H Blackham and Son continued to be one of the town’s longest in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. funds for charities. memories of Bob, but for me, there have
established businesses. In 1963, Tony married Rosemary, also from Wolverhampton. They When he was only seventeen, he gained been few dull moments since we both
had three daughters - Rachel, Nicola and Caroline. After initially a scholarship to study Mathematics at In 2001, Bob became a widower, having left Ratcliffe and during my time as his
living in Beckbury (a small village in beautiful rural Shropshire), Downing College, Cambridge, where lost his wife, Paula, who died from cancer. brother-in-law. Even in suffering a stroke
they moved a whole mile and a half down the road to Burnhill he later achieved a Master’s degree. He Some two years later, in 2003, he met eight years ago, he showed humour,
Green; Lower Snowdon became a real labour of love, with was a keen sportsman at Ratcliffe and his loving companion, Liz Sneath, whilst kindness, understanding and a listening
Tony’s keen eye for detail providing a wonderful family home excelled in the Rowing Club. He was fundraising for a new hospice in Spalding, ear to all of his wider family. Bob’s mind
and garden. Never was he happier than working outside in the quickly persuaded to take up rowing at and in 2007 they both made a memorable and spirit made him a great man, and he
garden, sweeping up, planting, organising and partaking of two Cambridge and was soon promoted to the visit to the Holy Land. will be sadly missed.
of his favourite pastimes – mowing and bonfires! Constantly first boat, rowing at bow for his college.
outnumbered by females, he remained tolerant, patient and kind. In 2009, whilst on holiday in Madeira with May God bless him and give him peace
As his great friend from school, Fr Michael Hill (49), reminded After he left Cambridge, Bob opted Liz, Bob suffered a severe stroke that and eternal rest.
us, ‘Tony was one of the most loyal and generous of people. He to join the family business and learn turned his life upside down. However,
was loyal to his beloved wife and family, loyal to his friends, his everything from the ground upwards. with the constant help of carers, the Brian Coe (60)
old school and his church. To give to others and give generously Initially, he went to Holland to work support of his family and friends, Brother-in-Law
was simply part of his nature. Any worldly success which came his
way was an opportunity for him to share his good fortune. There (CHARLES) ALASDAIR STEWART MACMILLEN
was nothing that he enjoyed more than exploring the beauties of
Britain and sharing that experience with others.’
OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1953 – 1956
One thing that especially endeared Tony to his friends was his 1938 – 2016
quirky sense of humour. He had a way of defusing situations with
a quick quip, never cruel and devoid of any critical edge. Tony had Alasdair attended Ratcliffe College from the age of 14, where blessed with three children -
many interests, but his home and family life always came first. he excelled academically. This was where he learnt to row, and Alexander, Miranda and Fraser, with
He was curious about people, and with his easy, friendly manner, it became a life-long passion. He also joined the Cadet Force, seven grandchildren. Alasdair died
he could talk to anyone, showing a genuine interest in them. which led to Officer Cadet training at Sandhurst, where he on March 10th 2016 aged 77, and
Anyone who had the privilege to know Tony realised that they received the REME Sword of Honour. He then set off to St John’s he is survived by his wife, Jill. He
had met an absolute gentleman in the truest sense of the word. College, Cambridge, where he read Mechanical Science and met was a man of integrity and a sure
He was humble, kind, thoughtful, interesting and interested, all his wife, Jill. faith, fun-loving with a keen sense
wrapped up with a keen sense of fun and an ability to see the of humour and an optimistic nature.
funny side of life. He will be greatly missed by his family and After twelve years with the army, Alasdair became a Chartered He was deeply loved and is greatly
friends. Engineer and worked in both the UK and Australia. In his missed.
retirement, he enjoyed volunteering with the Riding for the
Disabled Association, and he continued rowing as a veteran. Jill Macmillen
Rachel, Nicola & Caroline
Daughters A great family man, he and Jill were married for 52 years and Wife

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