Jack
Tonkin Jack was the eldest son from
a well-known Newlyn family who were always proud of their roots. He
was educated at the Penzance Grammar School and did his teacher training at St.
Luke’s College, Exeter. It was there that he played his beloved sport of
rugby football, which he followed throughout his life. During
WW2 he served as a sergeant in the RAF’s Education and Assessment unit, and
on his return home he taught at the Newlyn Board School before becoming headmaster
at Cape Cornwall junior school. His younger brothers, Dick
(a Life Member) and Derek followed his example and also became popular teachers
in the area. | |  |
Having
supported the Pirates from their outset, Jack accepted a request to become Assistant
Treasurer in 1963, taking over as Treasurer in 1964, a post he held until 1979,
when he was elected as President until 1982. During
his whole period of involvement with the club he was at the forefront of fundraising
activities which thrived through the ‘60s and ‘70s, having a knack of
encouraging others to help and get more involved. He was
a general ‘workhorse’ who was deservedly made a Life Member, and he
had formed an efficient partnership with Cyril Ladner, the club’s enthusiastic
and indefatigable Secretary. His wife, Maureen, was also fully supportive of his
efforts, and was herself a stalwart member of the Ladies Committee and Vice President
of the club, the couple moving to Slaithwaite, Yorkshire, in 1983 to be nearer
their son Gavin and family Paying tribute to Jack Tonkin
on the news of his passing in 1998, Phil Westren said “Jack Tonkin
was without doubt one of the club’s most efficient officers, a true genleman
who was highly respected and well-liked by all.” |
