This is Kent --
A LIFELONG Dovorian who "couldn't walk through the town without someone shouting hello" has lost his battle with throat cancer, aged 70.
Grandfather Raymond Skelton, of Gloster Ropewalk, died earlier this month at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, having been diagnosed eight months ago.
Mr Skelton worked for Dover Harbour Board for more than 30 years, and it is believed he lost his leg in an accident when it got caught in roping attached to a moving boat.
He had been a member of the Oddfellows friendship group, based on Pencester Road, since 1969, and was chairman of the Dover Camcorder Club for more than 20 years.
Close friend Alan Taylor, who was part of the camcorder club with Mr Skelton and had known him for nearly 30 years, said: "Everybody knew Ray, he couldn't walk through Dover without someone shouting hello, and he loved a pint in The Eight Bells.
"He was an old school gentleman, nothing was too much trouble if you needed any help. He used to make children's dollhouses, and made one for my daughter Michelle nearly 30 years ago. He was brilliant like that."
Mr Skelton was provincial grand master of Oddfellows in 1980, 1984 and 1990.
One past master, who asked not to be named, said this week: "If something was going on, Ray was there. He would help anybody, was always jovial and was a very well-liked person."
Retired nurse Mr Taylor, 66, said Mr Skelton lost his right leg in an accident when it got caught in roping attached to a boat, which then began moving away. He subsequently had a false leg fitted.
A Dover Harbour Board spokesman said: "Ray's service with the board was from January 1963 to October 1994. His last position was machinist and he worked in engineering."
Mr Skelton's wife Betty died a number of years ago, and it is believed he was not close to his family.
Mr Taylor, of Kings Ropewalk, added: "He liked his holidays – Lapland, Spain, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Guernsey – and would go on his own and meet people on them.
"He also loved ballooning. We bought it as a birthday surprise for him about five years ago and he went up from Leeds Castle, he didn't want to come back down."
Mr Skelton went to St Mary's Primary School in Dover, and grew up on what is now South Military Road. His funeral details are still being finalised.
Send your tributes to mike.sims@KRNmedia.co.uk Reported by This is 18 hours ago.
A LIFELONG Dovorian who "couldn't walk through the town without someone shouting hello" has lost his battle with throat cancer, aged 70.
Grandfather Raymond Skelton, of Gloster Ropewalk, died earlier this month at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, having been diagnosed eight months ago.
Mr Skelton worked for Dover Harbour Board for more than 30 years, and it is believed he lost his leg in an accident when it got caught in roping attached to a moving boat.
He had been a member of the Oddfellows friendship group, based on Pencester Road, since 1969, and was chairman of the Dover Camcorder Club for more than 20 years.
Close friend Alan Taylor, who was part of the camcorder club with Mr Skelton and had known him for nearly 30 years, said: "Everybody knew Ray, he couldn't walk through Dover without someone shouting hello, and he loved a pint in The Eight Bells.
"He was an old school gentleman, nothing was too much trouble if you needed any help. He used to make children's dollhouses, and made one for my daughter Michelle nearly 30 years ago. He was brilliant like that."
Mr Skelton was provincial grand master of Oddfellows in 1980, 1984 and 1990.
One past master, who asked not to be named, said this week: "If something was going on, Ray was there. He would help anybody, was always jovial and was a very well-liked person."
Retired nurse Mr Taylor, 66, said Mr Skelton lost his right leg in an accident when it got caught in roping attached to a boat, which then began moving away. He subsequently had a false leg fitted.
A Dover Harbour Board spokesman said: "Ray's service with the board was from January 1963 to October 1994. His last position was machinist and he worked in engineering."
Mr Skelton's wife Betty died a number of years ago, and it is believed he was not close to his family.
Mr Taylor, of Kings Ropewalk, added: "He liked his holidays – Lapland, Spain, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Guernsey – and would go on his own and meet people on them.
"He also loved ballooning. We bought it as a birthday surprise for him about five years ago and he went up from Leeds Castle, he didn't want to come back down."
Mr Skelton went to St Mary's Primary School in Dover, and grew up on what is now South Military Road. His funeral details are still being finalised.
Send your tributes to mike.sims@KRNmedia.co.uk Reported by This is 18 hours ago.