Page 63 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

came to teach for a number of years at Ratcliffe. Again, he was understanding. I’m so sorry to hear that he has passed away.
a popular teacher and member of staff. He held various positions Thinking of his wife and Tonia, Isabel and Maddy.”
in the College, including Sixth Form Master in charge of boarding. Matt Lomas (79): “Forty-two years ago, Bernard Sherratt found a
After leaving Ratcliffe, he took up carpentry professionally, living way of getting me ‘over the line’ in my Maths O Level – not an easy
and working in Sileby, Leicestershire. Later, he and his wife went task, I assure you, and one for which I have been forever thankful!
to live in France, not far from Lourdes. Two years ago, Bernard and He came across as a bit of a maverick with a keen sense of humour, OBITUARIES
his wife drove down to Lourdes and visited our Ratcliffe Rosminian and his eyes sometimes betrayed his need to be strict with the
pilgrimage in Hosanna House in Bartrès and enjoyed a meal with Catholic pupils before him. I also remember him in the metalwork
us. May he rest in peace.
class, in the shed behind the Sixth Form Union, always being busy
Fr Anthony Meredith (57) in his approach to the task in hand, with a cheroot on the go. My
Colleague condolences to his family and friends.”
The following messages were sent by some of Bernard’s former Joe Della-Porta (81): “Mr Sherratt was a beautiful man; he was
pupils from Ratcliffe College and Grace Dieu: stern, fun, supportive, and had an aura. It was always a joy to see
his quirky smile before he stepped back into his role as a Master!
Jenny Ardley-Oakden (91): “Mr Sherratt was a lovely man. He was
kind, gentle, funny, caring, and wonderfully irreverent. I have very I’m so grateful for his kindness, enthusiasm, support, humour and
happy memories of him. Such a sad loss of a great man.” teaching.”
Gen Clegg (née Furey) (91): “I was so upset to hear about Mr
Leo Biles (79): “Dear Mr Sherratt taught me woodwork at Grace Sherratt. He taught me A Level Maths and gave me the confidence
Dieu, and he was also my Maths teacher at Ratcliffe. He was always to pull my grades up. I loved his sense of humour and the way he
there to help and guide us. Rest in peace, Mr Sherratt. God bless.”
spoke to us as adults. My condolences to Tonia, Isabel and Mad.”
Joanne Linnett (née O’Connor) (91): “Mr Sherratt was my tutor,
and a fantastic one, too! He was warm, easy to talk to, and very

WILLIAM JOSEPH ANTHONY (TONY) DALY

1930 - 2018
OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1941 - 1947
Born of Irish descent in Pontypridd in 1930, Tony was brought up
in Leicester, after his family moved there in 1933. During the war
years, he was a pupil at Ratcliffe College, and he often talked fondly
of his time there. For a number of years after leaving, he helped
to run the tombola stall at the Leicester Old Ratcliffian Dinner
Dance, and he kept an association with the School throughout his
life. After taking his School Certificate, Tony worked at St Martin’s
Bank, before doing two years of national service. Following this,
he enrolled at Loughborough Technical College, later moving to
London as a trainee with the National Cash Register Company.
Retaining contact with Leicester through the Knighton Catholic
Club, a Catenian dinner dance was responsible for Tony meeting
Maria, and they married a few years later, in 1955. Soon after that,
his father, a founding member of Leicester 53, encouraged Tony
to join. He later became secretary for a number of years, and his
involvement with the Catenian Association developed further,
with him joining Leicester South 245, being a joint member of the
newly formed Kirby Muxloe 329, and finally, as a member of the
Loughborough 173 Circle.
As a salesman by nature and training, Tony identified an
opportunity for a new market in telecoms in 1986, and he
successfully developed a communications company that remains
a family business today. For three years, he was a Leicester City
Councillor, before moving to the County, and he served for many
years as the Bishop’s representative on the Local Education
Committee. For his services to Catholic education, he was awarded daughters. Two of his 14 grandchildren are currently pupils at the
a Knighthood of St Gregory (KSG). In retirement, Tony became a School. He also had three great-grandchildren. Tony will always be
great traveller, visiting all of the continents, except Antarctica and remembered as someone who was never short of a cheerful word
South America. His last adventure was a luxury cruise from Dubai and a cheeky grin.
to Singapore, via India, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
May he rest in peace.
Tony died peacefully in his sleep, after a period of deteriorating
health, in November 2018. He leaves behind a large family, Maria Daly
including six sons, two of whom attended Ratcliffe, and four Wife
The Old Ratcliffian 2019 63