Rhidian Jones

Jack Snell was one of those parents who, although not raised in the rugby tradition, came to love the game and its culture, and made a great contribution to the Club. He served in a wide of variety of roles off the field and was justly decorated for that service by election to a Vice-Presidency. But his contribution to our lives was not merely in sorting out premises problems and organising playing kit. He had a great gift for friendship and an irrepressible cheerfulness which made any encounter with him a pleasure. That positivity was the more remarkable when you knew how he spent much of his life in the devoted care of his beloved wife who suffered from severe back pain and serious mobility problems. He was also the go-to builder for many of us at the Club whose advice and ability, passed on to Ashley and Jason, was of great benefit. When we bought our Edwardian semi in Ealing 35 years ago it was showing its age and in need of serious renovation. Trusting Jack implicitly we did something we have never dared to do before or since; we handed over the keys and disappeared with the children for three weeks in a cabin in the wilds of Sweden. This was, of course, when a mobile phone was one with a long extension cable, there was no Whats App video, and we therefore had no means of checking on progress. We had no need for any apprehension. On our return we were delighted to see the house transformed as we had specified with wooden floors and built in bookshelves testimony to Jason’s carpentry skills, and still giving valuable service today. Later he did other jobs for us as well as many members of the Club. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Ashley and Jason, and the other members of his family, through whom his standards and values live on.