John Newton, 2 June 1940 - 28 June 2025; a personal tribute from Andrew Smith.

Introduction

It is with great sadness and heartache that I lost an amazing pal on 28 June 2025 at the age of 85.

Despite the age gap between us, he was a lot more than a “pal”. Add:

• Sage adviser 
• Tennis coach
• Golfing partner 
• Banter colleague 
• Roll model
• Tea / coffee drinking partner

John was a legendary member of Charnwood Tennis Club for many, many years - about 50 I gather -and represented the club in many ways including most recently as an Honorary Vice President.

He played a really good game of tennis (and golf) well into his 80s. From what I understand in his early days, he was talented at any other sports he tried.

I can break our friendship into five stages.

Stage 1 - From approx 2010 - The Early Days

I don't know when I first met John but it would definitely have been at Charnwood Tennis Club on a Saturday afternoon social play session.

At that stage I played hockey most Saturday afternoons in the winter, so it would have been in the summertime.

It would probably be 10 - 15 years ago when he was in his early 70s, going on early 50s! I was amazed how well he played despite giving many years away to all of the other Saturday afternoon players.

He didn't need to run that much as he positioned himself so well and manoeuvred his opponents around the court with skill and placement. He seemed to have so much time and hand eye co-ordination and hardly ever mishit a ball, his back hand drop shots were sublime feathering the net and then dropping in for winners.

I always enjoyed partnering him, although playing against him was a different story!

At some stage it transpired that he was a keen golfer and a member at Rothley Park Golf Club. I was a member at Longliffe Golf Club and so we had a nice reciprocal arrangement of guesting at each other's courses from time to time.

Over there his ubiquitous nickname was Jonny Boy, which I found endearing, especially as he would have been in his eighth decade by then!

Stage 2 - 30 June 2017 and the aftermath

A few years later in June 2017, unfortunately, I was involved in a horrendous RTA which left me with many injuries including 13 broken ribs and a broken arm.

I couldn't drive and was off work for four months and to be honest I was bored to tears and struggling mentally with the loneliness at home, unable to do much or see folks.

Despite me being doped up on morphine and not very alert, it was so kind of him to start taking me out for short walks / teas and coffees on a regular basis. I even recall he had to tie my shoe laces which he did without complaining!!!!

I realised what good company he was when I was struggling, with a nice mix of intelligence and interest and a very quick sense of humour.

As my recovery continued, and broken bones healed, while I couldn't play tennis properly (nothing new there!!), he would take me out for a knock at our tennis club. I think at this time he tried coaching me, he must have had the patience of a saint and, while he never showed it, must have been incredibly frustrated about my inability to put his sound advice and guidance into practice.

Due to the RTA injuries I stopped playing hockey for good on a Saturday afternoons and so went to tennis club play almost every week instead.

Stage 3 - 2021 to early 2025 - The Golden Years

We started to go for post club play drinks and I always enjoyed these as we would discuss the tennis played and put the wider world to rights.   

There were some Saturday afternoons when the weather was rubbish and I would phone him prior to the 2pm start time to see if he still wanted to go to club play. Stupid me!!! Of course he did, a little rain or even a lot of rain wouldn't stop him!!!

John was one of the most positive-thinking people I've ever met, which was infectious and hopefully rubbed off on me.

A few years ago I semi-retired and we would go out regularly for midweek walks and drinks.

I would always wonder what we would talk about. No need, due to his accommodating style and charismatic nature, conversation would effortlessly flow. When I fully retired these would become a staple diet most mid-weeks, which I would always looked forward to.

Saturday Club Play was always lifted by his presence and it was always fun identifying him from his feet and walking style under the hedges as he walked round to the courts.

Along with a couple of other gents we would go for refreshments after Saturday Club Play for drinks, sporting banter, and conversations about anything really! Typical of his generous nature, he would always unnecessarily offer to pay for the round of drinks.

A few years ago he got skin cancer and received the appropriate treatment. I had concerns that he would be out for a while. Silly me!! I don't think he missed more than one or two Saturdays.

Subsequently, he had heart trouble and so needed a pacemaker and something else fitted, he couldn't drive or play for a while. I worried it might slow him down. Of course not!!

Stage 4 - Early 2025 to 28 June 2025 - The last few months

In early 2025, John started struggling with severe pains and breathlessness.

I recall taking him to two investigatory appointments at the General Hospital in Leicester, thinking this isn't good, but hoping for better news. Despite the pain, he remained typically upbeat and looking positively to the future.

Then a few weeks later, maybe early May, I took him to the LRI for him to discuss these investigation findings with the consultant. It transpired that the prostate cancer he had many years ago had returned, was aggressive and spreading and there was no cure.

I remember him comforting me when he came out from the consultant’s room and telling me this bad news. (This seemed the wrong way round!!).

At this stage it wasn't clear to me (or probably anyone else) how long he would have left, but I knew deep down that it wasn't good.

We carried on meeting for coffees until a few weeks before his passing and despite him weakening and condition deteriorating I enjoyed his wit and wisdom

I remember the penultimate outing at The Outwoods, a beautiful day in glorious countryside when a short, slow but steady walk was concluded with refreshments and typically great conversation.

I clearly remember the last such outing at St Joseph's tea rooms when he looked so tired, his voice weakening, but he was still excellent company.

The last time I saw him was a home visit when he was waning further and didn't feel up to going out, there were two district nurses in attendance.

Again I wondered how long was left? I feared not long but hoped for a miraculous few months. He gave me his tennis racket and this is a prized possession / momento.

Over the next two or three weeks I sent him two or three emails, and untypically got no replies and so I was even more aware that the end was probably imminent.

And then on Sunday 29th June I received the news that I had been expecting and dreading, that on Saturday 28th June he passed away.

There is some solace that on this Saturday, I played my first club match for ages (they must have been desperate!!).

He would have definitely wanted me out playing the sport he loved for the club he loved very much indeed. I think he would have been pleased and proud that I gave everything in a winning cause.

After his passing, a tribute book was started at our club which I passed to his widow on 5 August, which was the occasion of a private family funeral followed by a thanksgiving at The Baptist Church.

I read the contributions and the underlying theme was of a gent who always wanted to give to others, a sentiment with which I totally agreed.

Stage 5 - 28 June 2025 onwards

I am sorry if this comes over as either soppy or sentimental. It probably is, but that's just too bad.

I look back on how lucky I was to have known John for many years and shared experiences and learnt so much from him.

I miss him especially at drinks on Saturdays after tennis, which were one of the highlights of my week.

Of course I won't ever be able to play tennis anywhere near his level, but I will give 100 per cent on and off the court, as he would expect and appreciate. I will try to follow his mantra that you take loads out of giving. 

There will never be another John Newton.

A life well lived,

Much loved,

Much missed.