Croydon optometrist Michael Rawling died on January 31 2007 from a blood disease.
Rawling worked for his family firm Rawling & Sons (Opticians) in Croydon, Surrey most of his life and was heavily involved in the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers.
He was born in Croydon in 1933 and remained closely involved in the town and community all his life. After training as an ophthalmic optician he spent his pre-reg year in Cambridge before following his brother, father and grandfather into the family firm.
Rawling also followed in his family's footsteps at the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, rising to Master for two years from 1983 to 1985.
A keen golfer and bon viveur he was also actively involved in several charities locally and is greatly missed by family and colleagues.