He was a Southampton ice dancing legend and esteemed skating coach with a lifelong love of the rink. 

Tony Barron has passed away peacefully, aged 83.

He was a popular instructor at the Top Rank ice rink, renowned for his accomplishments on the ice and his expertise off of it, and was one of the leading lights in the campaign to save Southampton's ice rink.

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Tony, who leaves two children - Rachael and Jonathan - and three grandchildren, Harry, Tabitha and Cosmo, was born in Southampton in 1940.

Tony started skating in the early 1950s, joining the National Skating Association in 1952. He passed his Bronze Dance in 1952 but initially concentrated on Figure and Free, competing at the Wembley Junior competition in 1955.

In 1956, Tony passed his Inter Silver Figure and Free, and decided to concentrate on Ice Dance to Gold standard.

He competed at both Junior and Senior level in Ice Dance. Initially partnered by Iris Lloyd-Webb and Andrea Johnson, he teamed up with Christine Sleeman in 1964, enjoying success at both Junior and Senior level, representing Great Britain internationally and finishing third in the British Junior Championships in 1965.

In 1965, Tony joined the judging panel for both figure and dance, and judged many of the tests of coaches still active today.

He then decided to change direction and became a coach, coaching at Oxford and Milton Keynes mainly. Amongst his pupils was Tammy Sear, whom he coached to win a British Ladies Championship.

Tony was also mentor to many coaches, who frequently sought his advice. He advised the NISA Recreational Skating Committee, and was an active committee member for the British Ice Teachers Association (BITA) for many years.

A man of many talents, Tony also found joy in cooking and gardening and loved the thrill of cycling and the adventures to be found on ski slopes.

He will also be missed in Milton Keynes, his home for the last 20 years, where he was a well-known part of the community in Bradwell where he spent many hours tending to neighbour’s gardens and litter picking.

A service to celebrate Tony's life will be held at Test Valley Crematorium at 12 midday on Monday October 30.