Farewell to our friend Ron MacNeill

NEWS Tuesday 25th June 2019, 12:24pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

We have just received the shocking news that our popular and widely respected photographer Ron MacNeill died this morning.

Ron had had heart problems for some years but he was carrying on regardless and seemed in great fettle over the weekend, taking photos as usual at the home and away matches against Redcar. Thus his final shots will appear in our programme on Friday.

Ron's wife Janice of course is also very well known at Armadale having run our Hospitality area at one time, and been a regular at various club events. She told us the terrible news earlier today.

Promoter John Campbell has been working with Ron for years and admitted he was very shaken by the news "I'm in shock. I can't believe it. He was his bright and cheery self at Redcar on Saturday. He was more than the Club photographer, he was a friend. We had many enjoyable discussions, over the years, about all kinds of subjects. We were on the same wavelength.

"I am very very sad. I'll miss him greatly. My condolences to Janice and all the family."

Ron had been a Monarchs' fan since being taken to Old Meadowbank by his dad in the 1950s. He worked as a medical administrator and took up photography in retirement, initially covering our sport in partnership with Jan Orkisz. He has been club photographer alongside Jack Cupido for more than a decade and was always willing to dash off anywhere to get shots either of racing or anything else the club needed.

The quality of his work is recognised as excellent. He was awarded the Raymond Jarvie Trophy for Outstanding Service to the Club in 2015.

He has also been in recent times the official photographer at Hearts FC, his other great sporting love. As Janice agreed, Ron was enjoying his life and the only consolation is that his departure was quick and painless – just far too soon.

Ron's funeral will be held at Mortonhall crematorium at 2pm on Tuesday 2nd July thereafter at Tynecastle.

Family flowers only but a collection will be taken for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland.

All welcome to service and to Tynecastle.