A commemorative stone to honour Ron Upton – one of Keech Hospice Care’s most loyal supporters – is to be placed in the charity’s Walk of Life path.
The Barton-based publisher, who died recently after a long illness, was one of its first trustees.
Hospice founder Dr ‘Wink’ White said: “Ron was a great stalwart, a very hard worker.
“He was a big man, very honest and outgoing. He put all his time and personality into the project when he joined the appeal committee in 1986.
“He had lots of contacts and introduced us to our main benefactor Betty Robinson, who gave us the land on which the hospice is built. He also organised comedian Bob Monkhouse to turn the first sod.” He added: “He came from a newsagent family in Barton and was devoted to his mother Barbara.
“I will miss his friendship and loyalty.”
Keech chief executive Mike Keel said: “The original dream of a hospice would have stayed just that had it not been for the initial team, their devotion and real passion to make it work.
“Ron was a key player and major influence and will be sadly missed by all of us at the hospice.”
In addition he was a reader and dedicated member of the congregation at St Margaret’s Church in Streatley.
His cousin Jacquie Molloy said there was a ‘phenomenal’ turnout at his funeral.
“The Bishop of Hertford was there and it was a beautiful service.
“Everyone who ever met Ron went away with a memory – that really sums him up.”
> His family has asked for all donation’s in Ron’s memory to be made to the hospice.