Page 50 - The Old Ratcliffian 2011

The Old Ratcliffan 2011 | Obituaries Roger Paulson Old Ratcliffian 1949-1955 12th March 1937-14th May 2011 Roger was born on 12th March 1937 that although he was unable to and died on 14th May 2011. At rejoin ‘my old world’ (his words), he Ratcliffe, Roger was a fine sportsman could encourage others to overcome and will be remembered for attaining their problems. So he spent the rest the school mile record. He achieved of his life involved with four major this with the help of a group of organisations working for the disabled. athletes brought to Ratcliffe by Peter Hildreth (Chris Braisher, amongst He was very persuasive in getting others) to act as pacemakers. At the people involved in the various end of his time at Ratcliffe, he was organisations; he supported Headway, received into the Catholic Church REMAP and NAVO. Roger never gave together with his brother, Robin (53). up and right to the end was able to be clear in his mind what he wanted. It Robin joined the Rosminians and was was just that it took time for him to put the main celebrant assisted by Fr Robin ordained a priest in 1970, whilst Roger his point across. and about ten other Rosminians: did his National Service and joined Fr Charles Sormany, Fr Philip Scanlan, the TA after training as an engineer He will be remembered as an active Fr David Tobin, Fr Simon Giles, member of the Ratcliffian Association with Raleigh. It was while he was on Fr Tony Baxter. his way to the annual TA camp in June and especially as a regular attendee at Several Old Ratcliffians were 1964 when the accident happened. the annual retreats. present too – among them were He lay unconscious in hospital for four His brother, Robin, was able to be with Nicholas Tomlinson (56) and months, and when he awoke, he was him at the end. Fr David Tobin (59) Martin Foulds (71). seriously disabled, both physically and I visited him just a few days before and mentally. The love and care of his he died and remember him being very We send our prayers at this time parents in their Woodborough home in calm about his life, despite the many to the Paulson family, Fr Robin, Nottingham helped him gain strength difficulties he had had to overcome. his twin sisters, Susan and Jill, and plan what to do with the rest of his His funeral took place at his parish and their families. life. He was then in his mid-20s. church of St Anthony, Calverton. The Fr Simon Giles (60) parish priest, Mons Brian Dazeley, was It took fifteen years for him to realise Thomasina Mackey School Nurse I started at Ratcliffe in 1976; where she lived for many years after limited mobility and had to move into Thomasina was already well Ratcliffe; I believe she was required a nearby care-home, though her mind established in post by that time, to live on the college site during her remained very sharp until relatively though I don’t know what year she working career as she was the first recently. Finally, Thomasina moved into took up employment at the College. point of call for first aid. I think most a new-build care-home (also in Callan) She came to Ratcliffe from Ampleforth of her Saturday afternoons were spent where she passed away peacefully on College, and indeed had worked her patching up rugby injuries! On one day Thursday September 29th. way up through nursing positions at a each week she would use her afternoon number of top catholic public schools off to go shopping in Leicester. During I kept in touch with Thomasina before becoming ‘Matron’ (or ‘Sister’) these trips, she would pick up a copy from first knowing her at Ratcliffe. I at Ratcliffe. She remained at Ratcliffe of Flight International magazine for me managed to visit her annually until very recently. With having relatives in Ireland through to her retirement in the (only available at WHSmith in the city summer of 1981 ... easy for me back then). This was typical of her; myself, I was able to travel down to to remember, because I left at the she was always happy to help out the Kilkenny for a day to see Thomasina same time. pupils when she could. I ultimately whenever I was over there. It was ended up with a career in aviation, always a pleasure to reminisce with her Thomasina, nicknamed ‘Tam’ after her and those magazines helped to make about Ratcliffe life; her memory was initials, was a very popular character that possible. amazing until the last year or so of her around Ratcliffe. I only ever heard life. The banter and the humour never negative comments about her on the After a number of years living in left her. one day per year when she would track Sileby, Thomasina was persuaded by I am sure she will be fondly everybody down with her tray of flu- family (her niece) to move to a cottage jabs! Otherwise it was all good, and her in Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland. remembered by all who knew her. quiet Irish humour was an ever-present She became a stalwart of the church Liam McManus (81) feature of Ratcliffe life. community there, helping out routinely. Latterly, she began to suffer from Thomasina retired to a cottage in Sileby 50