Roger Roy Reynolds
1939 - 2021
The family are sad to announce that Roger passed away on 13th May 2021 at Queen Alexandra Hospital.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Dad loved the sea and spent his early career in the Merchant Navy and then spent many years afterwards out on his boats and sailing locally with his family and friends. He was a member of Emsworth Slipper Sailing club, Langstone sailing club and Thornham marina for years.
Dad grew up in Emsworth and lived near the mill pond until he joined the Merchant Navy.
He was an accomplished musician. Starting in bands in his early years playing guitar, keyboards and a bit of background vocals. Getting on the circuit and playing pubs and working mans clubs through the 70's and 80's with his band 'Black Magic'. He accumulated a vast record collection over the years and started a mobile disco with his friend Craig, together they formed 'SuperSound' and for decades they were out on Friday and Saturday nights entertaining at birthday parties and weddings, all around Hampshire and surrounding counties.
He was employed at Tambrands, later Proctor & Gamble, in Leigh Park, for most of his working life, on shift work 'earlies and lates' and was an electronic mechanical engineer, maintaining the machinery on the lines. He was very well respected by the company and at times was asked to 'fix' machines in other countries, they once flew him by private airplane to France to fix an un-fixable machine, that had stopped the whole of the production line. Late 90's, early 20's he decided to opt for voluntary redundancy (early retirement), when they relocated his department to California.
He always kept busy and came out of retirement and applied for a temporary short term contract at Goodmans loudspeakers in Havant, this was apt given his passion for all things music. 7 years later and with the closure of the Havant factory, Dad finally retired; he was literally one of the last to leave.
In later years, he would be down the Conservative Club (Denvilles House in Havant), playing snooker or having a drink. He was always happy to help out with the evening entertainment, either setting up the disco and being the DJ or booking the entertainment. He went onto become a committee member, with his final role as the Vice Chairman. He liked to spend his time at the Club, helping with the management and maintenance of the building, rooms and the grounds and was always very active in supporting all the events for the members. He had many friends on the committee, the staff and the members.
He was never one for cut flowers, so if you would like to make a donation, his wish was any monies to go to the RNLI charity.
The Roger I Knew
He was a dear friend of mine who was always willing to help anyone.
We respected each other throughout our time together on the Committee.
I always remember the first time I met him. He had just been appointed on the Committee and asked some particular question (I can't remember what) and was given a unsatisfactory answer. With that, he stood up and resigned from the Committee and walked out!
Some time later when I was became the Chairman I wrote to him asking if he would reconsider as I felt his expertise would be beneficial to the Club. He replied that he would rejoin the Committee and that's when our friendship began.
One of the things I liked about Roger was that he questioned everything – if everyone agreed on something, he was the one who didn't - he played the Devil's Advocate.
His knowledge and skills over the years must of saved thousands of pounds and the Club will be for ever grateful.
So he upset some people but he was dedicated to the well-being of the Club and stood by his convictions.
I might not have agreed with some of his ideas but he would accept what was finally agreed in the end.
Some years ago I instigated a medal of service for Roger which I insisted he wore at eventful occasions. The Committee unanimously agreed to bestow him this honour.
I can't speak for any of his actions outside of the Club only to mention that he was also involved with the Slipper Sailing Club at Emsworth and another club in the Cosham area.
If anything was needed, he had it! From a lathe or jack hammer to all sorts of electronic equipment.
He will be sadly missed at the Club by all the members and Committee and our thoughts are with Sheila and family.
Geoff Mullins
Chairman
Always there for all of us behind the bar. When he came in to lock down with me at the end of the eve he always had a sneaky packet of crisps as Sheila didn't have them at home 😁 Usually have a heated discussion over out difference of opinion but he was, and always will be a one off with the biggest heart
Karen Burbidge
A lot of your thoughts triggered many thoughts in mine, we disagreed on some subjects but we always respected each other - the interests of the club and members always came first.
Phil Beal
He will certainly be missed by me, especially in the office when he was deciding what I should be buying on Amazon for his latest electrical venture!
Pat Bolton