Tributes paid to popular parish clerk and scout commissioner (From Daily Echo)

Tributes paid to popular parish clerk and scout commissioner Ron Townsend

5:00am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in News By Andy Simmonds

TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular parish council clerk and ex-Scout commissioner.

Ron Townsend who lived at Totton and was Copythorne Parish Council clerk between April 1, 1988 and January 31, 2004 died last month aged 88. Mr Townsend was also Romsey District Scout commissioner from 1974-1978.

Former Copythorne Parish councillor Ruth Farmers, who knew Ron for more than 40 years, said: “He did everything to perfection and he was a marvellous clerk. He was charming and kindly.

"Ron was one of those people who'd always be in your life for one reason or another. He was very much a family man and took great pride in his children and grandchildren.”

Romsey District Scouts vice president David Sutton said Ron was a very “dedicated Scouter” and loved anything to do the administration.

“He was a hard-working Scouter. He enjoyed working at district scouting camps when we had them at Broadlands,” said Mr Sutton.

Ron's working life was spent with the Ford Motor Company in Southampton where he was welfare officer. His wife Lillian died a few years. He leaves behind two sons Kevin and Murray.

His funeral service was due to take place tomorrow at Southampton Crematorium.