Eric Ormond (18 Aug 1929 - 12 Jan 2018)

In loving memory of Eric Ormond who sadly passed away on 12th January 2018

Eric was born and grew up in Blackpool, and never lost sight of his roots even though he travelled far and wide with the Army.

After leaving school where, in his last two years he learned shorthand typing and bookkeeping, he found a job at Burtons biscuit factory in the accounts department. He had been in the Army cadets, and wanted to ride a motorbike but his Dad wouldn't allow it, so on 2 April 1947 he joined the Royal Corps of Signals to become a dispatch rider, though he later retrained to be a clerk. This was the start of his 34 year career during which he saw service in Germany (on several occasions), Singapore, Korea, Egypt, Cyprus, Deployment for the Suez crisis, Aden and various postings in the UK. In 1954, he married his beloved wife Margaret in Blackpool and they went on to have three children. Eric reached the rank of Warrant Officer First Class, Superintendent Clerk. In 1974, he was awarded his Meritorious Service Medal and later awarded a bar to his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, before retiring in 1981.

During his time in the Army his passion was football but he also boxed, played hockey and took part in other sports. When his football playing days were over, he trained to be a football referee and worked his way up to be a Class 1 referee and a referee coach. He also played a big role in the organisational activities of the football world by taking on the role of Secretary for various groups.

Following his retirement from the Army, he found employment with the Lincolnshire Army Cadet Force where he was responsible for 10 detachments on their training nights and also on their weekend camps. His referee's kit was always with him just in case the opportunity should arise. Eric took retirement from the Cadet Force in 1994 when he was 65.

During his retirement, his time was occupied with gardening, house maintenance and he took up tapestry. His family was his life and he took pleasure in looking after the grandchildren, including trips to the Cayman Islands where he and Margaret took on childminding duties. If there was a trip to Blackpool, it was generally coordinated with Blackpool FC playing at home!

When Margaret became ill, Eric cared for her for four years. During this time, he also attended many carer groups. After Margaret's death, Eric took on more roles with various carer groups, worked on a Carer's Newsletter and, when one group folded due to withdrawal of funding, he was instrumental in finding alternative funding and resurrecting it. He was also a regular at GP flu clinics offering advice to carers and he also made house calls handing out packs of information to the families of those recently diagnosed with dementia. In recognition of his voluntary work and his diligent support to many charities, he was declared the winner of the Lincolnshire Parent Carer Forum's Excellence award for Jan-May 2017.

In May 2017, Eric was himself diagnosed with dementia.

At Eric's request there will only be family flowers and he has asked for donations to be made to the Royal Signals Benevolent Fund.

If you are not able to attend, the Requiem Mass will be streamed live from St Norbert's Church - http://www.stnorberts.org.uk/ (click on the 'Live From Church' tab and then the long blue bar beneath the picture of The Last Supper).