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The Society wishes to report the very sad passing of its Vice President. The following obituary was written by David Easson, the Society’s Work Party Co-ordinator:
John Alastair Reginald Bellamy
(1931 – 2007)
I first met John on an MNLPS, Hereford to Chester Railtour in 1976, but got to know him better through both of us being involved in the retail motor trade. I joined the MNLPS in 1977 and have always looked back! It is totally true to say that whatever input that I have had into the Society, has been in no small way down to John’s mentoring, leadership (always from the front) & support. He was the perfect role model, in my opinion, almost like a second father.
As you go through life, you meet many thousands of people, who impact on your life in a great variety of ways and to a greater or lesser extent. In that process you come across two, maybe three people who you would not hesitate to seek guidance from, no matter what or how serious the problem was, and that you knew you would get good, solid & sound advise (even if it was something you did not really want to hear). John was one of those people. I frequently sought his guidance, and on each and every occasion would come away feeling better in the knowledge that the problem now seemed less serious and was solvable!
He had been our Chairman since 1970 until he retired from active service in 1991, just prior to our second loco overhaul at Southall, and in effect left us to it, fully confident that we would cope. I must admit that I wasn’t, however we coped and we are still doing so.
We all owe John a great debt of gratitude and also to Eileen for lending him to us for all those years. Thank you John, your legacy lives on, in us, - even if you did think that I would never die of hard work! What great, but misguided, perception!!!
He will now, almost certainly be in charge of railway preservation (all scales) in Heaven, proudly wearing his bowler hat and totally in control! He wasn’t known as the Fat Controller for nothing, you know! Meanwhile, Eileen has asked that his ashes be placed on the fire of 35028 at an appropriate time and place
“Gone but not Forgotten”
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