John Rawling of Rawlings Opticians has passed away peacefully on Tuesday August 25 aged 77.
Richard Rawling, son of John and current managing director of the company said: ‘Qualifying in 1959 John was the third generation of the optical family and worked in the Surrey area for over 40 years.’
John was an early adopter of contact lenses and started fitting lenses in the 1960s. He was a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers and a Councillor for Chaldon in Surrey for 24 years and Chairman of Tandridge District Council twice during that time. He was also involved in the community, having been chairman of school governors, local benevolent trusts and other organisations.
A passionate gardener and an expert on Rhododendrons, he was a Camellia judge for the Royal Horticultural Society and was heavily involved in the Rhododendron, Camellia and Magnolia group of the RHS, for whom he was the editor, for 13 years, of their Bulletin Newsletter which was circulated all over the world to fellow enthusiasts.
A service of thanksgiving for his life will be held on Thursday September 10 at St Mary’s Church, Caterham CR3 5RA at 1.30pm. Bouquets of flowers welcome or donations to Alzheimers UK or Chaldon Village Hall. All enquiries to BC Baker & Son Tel: 01883 343219.