It is with great sadness to report that Past Master John Hauxwell past away recently following a short illness. His wife Barbara was at his side.
John was born just before the war in 1938, christened in the Church of St Olave, in the City and educated at the Haberdasher Askes School, then in Edgeware. You could say his City Apprenticeship.
In 1963 he joined William Way as manager of their Wimbledon Branch. When the opportunity came to open a New Maldon branch, he and Robert Way worked as equal shareholders. He eventually became full owner/manager.
In 1985 he temporarily closed the business so he could develop a purpose built modern Merchant site. When he wanted to retire he sold the business to Travis Perkins but shrewdly kept the New Malden site.
John was a very busy Builders Merchant. He became BMF London Area Chairman and later National President, was a Fellow, Governor and President of The Institute of Builders Merchants and was very active on the NMBS Building Committee.
In 1985 he joined WCoBM and served as Master in 1997/98.
The Election Committee was John’s baby. He was on it for 25 years with a long stint as Chairman. In the early years he must have nominated more Liveryman than the rest of the Company put together.
John loved all things to do with the City. He was at different times Chairman of both Candlewick and Tower Ward Clubs and an active member of The City Livery Club, United Guilds and his Past Masters Association.
Technology passed him by; he was a people person; the telephone was his medium and he would phone everyone he knew to pass on the latest gossip.
His great hobby was walking where he was Chair and a walk leader of Kingston Ramblers and walked from his house in the Lake District. He enjoyed travelling, especially wine tours with fine dining. In short John brought enthusiasm to everything he did and enjoyed life to the full.
He leaves two sons, Stephen and Ian and a daughter Alison, grandchildren and of course his wife, Barbara.
The Livery Company will not be the same without him.
The funeral takes place on Wednesday, 6th July at St Mary’s Church, Church Road, Long Ditton KT6 5HH from 1.00pm till 2.00pm, followed by a private cremation attended by the family. If you attend his funeral not properly dressed in suit and tie – expect a thunderbolt!
Those able to attend the funeral are invited afterwards to: Woodlands Park Hotel, Woodlands Lane, Stoke D’abernon, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3QB for at 2.30pm.
