Page 61 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

window for a new development that was being built. He and Mum for more ice and enjoyed at least half of it. A very fitting memory,
bought the house off-plan for £2,500 (they were very different since, as many of you may know, it was his favourite drink.
prices in those days), and we spent many happy years there.
Dad, Grandpa, Michael…we will miss you. Thanks for the memories.
In his final days, I talked extensively to Dad about the people who God bless.
had inspired him in his life. There are too many to mention specific Justin Hobday OBITUARIES
names, but I want to share one statement that he made to me. He Son
said: “Everything good in my life has been influenced by Mum.” In
character, Dad was very traditional, and he lived by the “my word is Throughout his years at Grace Dieu and Ratcliffe, Michael
my bond” philosophy. He was trustworthy, reliable, and he always personified the calibre of student that any college would be proud
had an opinion; it wasn’t necessarily politically correct, yet he to produce. Both in the classroom and on the sporting field, he
was endearing to so many people. This has been so dramatically acted with distinction. In his senior years at Ratcliffe, he was
apparent in people’s words and comments to us in cards, letters applauded by Fr Claude Leetham as being one of his best Head
and conversations over the past few weeks. He had lots of stories, Prefects. He also established himself as a fine leader in sports,
some of which were absolutely preposterous. As several people captaining the 1st XV and athletics teams. One major feat of
have said to me, they always got better and better as he repeated Michael’s was winning the 110m hurdles at the Public Schools’
them and embellished them over the years. Championships at the White City in London.
The last week of his life was spent at the wonderful Princess Alice Michael leaves behind his wonderful wife, Eva, his two sons, Justin
Hospice in Esher. It’s an amazing place and, although he was and Charles, and their children, as well as two brothers, John (56)
critically ill, he spent a few days surrounded by lovely views of their and Reginald (63). His eldest brother, Howard (52), preceded
gardens from his room, whilst listening to music and hearing Mum, him in death. Michael will be sorely missed by his family and many
Charles and I talking. I was with Dad in the evening before he died, friends. Rest in peace.
and one of the lovely nurses came into the room and said, “Michael, John Hobday (56)
it’s time for you to have a drink.” He said, “I’d like a gin and tonic, Brother
please.” To my surprise, she brought him one. He then asked her

JOHN REYNOLDS

1933 - 2019
OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1945 - 1950

John, who died on 21st March 2019, was one of six children born
to Dr Leo and Eileen Reynolds, who had come to Manchester from
Ireland in the 1930s. They had five boys, Hubert (41), Leo (43),
Arthur (47), John (50) and Peter (53), who all attended Ratcliffe
College, and one girl, Sheila. The first four children followed their
father into medical vocations, whilst John became a teacher and
Peter joined the Rosminians, becoming a much-loved priest.
John was born in Ancoats in Manchester, but his roots lay in
Ireland, in Ballinamore, County Leitrim. He was immensely proud
of his Irish heritage, having spent some of the war years as an
evacuee there. He was also proud of his link with the Rosminian
family, both through Ratcliffe and through his brother, Peter. John
himself became a Rosminian novice after he left Ratcliffe, until he
felt that God was calling him to a different path. It was because of
his time in the Order that John started his national service later
than usual. On arrival, he was presented with a form to complete to
explain this discrepancy, and John though that one word, “cleric”,
would be explanation enough. The army thought that the word was
“clerk”, and, as a result, John spent his national service in the Pay
Corps at Kidderminster, which was a source of great amusement
to him.
After national service, John decided to go into teaching, unlike
most of his family, who were doctors. He was a good teacher and,
after spending time at both St Lawrence’s School and St James’
Primary School, he moved to St Charles’ Primary School as Deputy
Headteacher. In 1973, John was appointed as Headteacher at St
Joseph’s Junior School in Ordsall, and he remained there until his long-standing member of the Catenians, living out their ideal
retirement in 1988. He was extremely good at his job, and he was of ‘Family, Faith and Service to Others’. In addition to attending
as proud of his school as he was of his family.
the Salford Circle, he was a visitor at a number of other circles, an
The Catholic faith played a huge part in John’s life. He read during honorary member of the Rochdale Circle, and he regularly went on
Mass at St Mary’s on a regular basis, and he was a committed and trips and pilgrimages organised by the Catenians. (Cont. overleaf)

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