In loving memory of Robert John Murton who sadly passed away on 30th August 2019, written by his younger brother Pete.
Rob was born on 17 April 1943(a war baby) into a very troubled world.
His first experience of this came when his grandfather suffered a heart attack, Rob was found two hours later fast asleep in a ditch with the pram suffering only minor damage!
He went to the local school, George Spurgen and passed the eleven plus exam for Grammar School he did not attend as others were selected ahead of him due to their background. He attended Hillside School where he got into many fights, Mum would put on her hat and coat to go and find him, Dad would say to him did you win? Education came easy to Rob, he also liked sport and became football, cricket, athletics, basketball captain, schoolhouse captain, represented the school and won the Endeavour cup for sportsmanship.
He then left school and joined the police service as a cadet. On one occasion, at a rock-climbing course, his team saved a climber from falling down Scafell Pike. After his passing out parade he was posted to Ramsgate. He did not hit it off with the new sergeant because he was playing football for the Kent police. The day came when he had to tell my parents that he was leaving the force, my mother told him that he was very ungrateful (or words to that affect).
Rob was always doing things for others, charity work, he started a radio station for the local hospital where patients could request their favourite songs. This was where he met Celia, his future wife, who was a nurse at the hospital, they were married at Folkestone Registry Office Sept 1971.
Rob worked for Esso Petroleum, Dover, was then moved to head office, then on to various depots. Debenhams in Banbury was his next port of call, this was where he met Ivan who would become a long-term valued friend, along with his wife Chris. Rob and Celia’s hobby/passion was breeding and showing Abyssinian cats, with Rob becoming a Steward at the NEC cat show.
In 2012 Rob and Celia retired to Market Rasen, but time marches on and in 2015 Celia was diagnosed with the most terrible of illnesses. Rob nursed her until it became too much for him and she was admitted to a local nursing home where she sadly passed away.
The Masons were a big part of his life, this year, as Charity Steward, he was looking forward very much to organizing events, booking and paying deposits on some that are still to take place. This was one of the things that upset him whilst in hospital as he felt he had let people down. He also became more involved in one of his many charities, PMR or Polymyalgia Rheumatica, something which he had suffered from, helping to raise its profile and getting many an unsuspecting assistant to help stuffing envelopes or sticking labels on.
Sadly Robert passed away after a short battle with cancer on 30th August 2019. This brief life history has not been able to retell all the events that happened in the years Rob spent among us.
I have written these words with tears in my eyes, as Robs younger brother I could not aspire to his many achievements. He loved being involved and helped and touched many people’s lives. Rob, you are reunited with Celia, who you loved very much. You will be much missed by your family. Goodbye brother Robert, thanks for all the good times we spent together. May you rest in peace.
Just found out about our dear friend Rob...we are all shattered at the news and so sorry to learn of his passing. Deepest sympathy Peter and family from Pam, Tracy and Ian. He is now reunited with his beloved Celia and many cats.
Comments