Death of John (Jack) Ormiston

[coach]

We are sorry to announce the death of the Club's former President and
Vice President on 9th January 2010, a week before his 94th birthday.

John Ormiston (always known as Jack) joined the Club in 1932 when he
was 16, after leaving Westminster School. His active rowing career at
the Club culminated in a Wyfold Challenge Cup win in 1937 when he
rowed at bow in a crew known in LRC folklore as the 'Umbrage IV'.
His last appearance at Henley was in 1939. Already a territorial in
the 1930s, he was commissioned at the outbreak of war a few weeks
later into the East Yorkshire Regiment. He served in France, the
Middle East and Germany, rising to Major and being mentioned in
despatches in 1944.
His working career centred entirely on the family firm of P Ormiston &
Sons Ltd, founded in 1793, gold and silver wire drawers and now wire
manufacturers, of which he became Chairman, retiring in 1997.
Jack's family have been heavily involved in all aspects of the River
Thames including rowing and skiffing. His uncle Rex was the name
behind the 'Ormiston Trophy' competed for by skiff clubs. Jack was
President of the Skiff Club and a founder of the River Thames Society.
Away from the river, he was a JP from 1964 to1977, and a Councillor
with both Kingston and Richmond Councils, amongst numerous other
interests.
Jack was elected a Vice-President of LRC in 1987, becoming President
in 1994. In 2001, having reached the age of 85, he decided to stand
down and was re-elected as a Vice-President, since 2006 in an Honorary
capacity. A man of great enthusiasm in his younger years, his health
now makes any involvement with the Club impossible, but he is still
regarded with warmth and affection by all those who have had the
privilege of knowing him

The Funeral Service will take place at St Matthias Church, Richmond
Hill on Wednesday, 27th January 2010 at 2.00 p.m. LRC members are
advised that, if they have them, LRC regatta blazers are to be worn.