Having joined HHSC in the early 1970s, my first encounter with John was the dart board on the back of the sailing Club 

door, you had to knock as you went in and the thrower would hopefully stop throwing, I did not knock and John was throwing

the darts [ the Sailing Club was at the bottom of the Osborne then ]. He asked me to sail with him on Woodwind [ Doug's boat ]

along with Alan , well that led me to sail with John for many seasons in "Secret" and "Stripes" his GP14s. This later led to crewing

with John on "Roundabout" and "Starkers" over many seasons, I remember once on "Roundabout" loosing our Rudder in a channel race

and John fixing the Spinnaker pole to the transom for steerage. 

About this time John and myself discovered Orienteering which took us over the South of England, John was very competitive in his

class, as I remember finishing in the top 3 mostly. We then also took up Badminton of which Carole and Sue made up the foursome 

so Monday night at St Vincent became a regular event.

John was an early inspiration in my early years of sailing, he was always kind in giving advise and helping when required.

John was a comfort to myself and family when my Parents and Brother passed away, always the professional shoulder

you could go to at anytime, nothing was too much for him.

My regret in later life is not to have kept Intouch with John and Carole, being the first person Carole showed her  

engagement ring too, and attending their wedding.  

John you were a genuine friend to me and I have so many memories of good times with you, gone but never forgotten.