TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Chairman and President of Basingstoke RFC and Trustee of Ark Medical Trust, who died last month.

John Evans, whose wide-ranging work in Basingstoke left his mark on the community, sadly passed away on on Friday, April 2, aged 90.

Paying tribute, his daughter Sally said: “He was an absolute gentleman in every sense of the word. He was a great leader in a very quiet and unassuming fashion.

“He did so much good, had so many friends, and brought happiness to so many people but remained modest throughout.”

John was born in Portsmouth in 1931, moving to Basingstoke aged 25 where he would remain for the rest of his life.

He worked for H N Edwards, a Basingstoke-based building company which was distinguished by its training of apprentices in the area, leading to John being invited onto the board of governors for Basingstoke College of Technology where he remained for more than 20 years.

After completing national service in the Royal Engineers, he joined the Territorial Army where he rose to the rank of colonel and was subsequently appointed Honorary Colonel of the 78 Engineer Regiment and 127 Sussex Yeomanry.

His talent and determination in the armed forces led to him being awarded a CBE, a rare accolade for a TA officer.

He was thrilled to go to Buckingham Palace to receive his CBE alongside his wife Jane and daughters.

But his efforts within the local community were no less impressive.

An avid sportsman, he played rugby, tennis and squash, becoming the president and chairman of Basingstoke RFC and the only life member of the Preston Candover Tennis Club.

Basingstoke RFC said: “It is with great sadness that the club can confirm that John passed away on Good Friday.

The club and all its members would like to offer our condolences to Jane and the Evans family.”

His family described him as ‘Hampshire born and bred’, having been heavily involved in the Ark Medical Trust and serving as trustee of the Wessex Children’s Hospital Trust, as well as being instrumental in the development of the children’s hospices Naomi House and Jacksplace.

They said: “His mark will remain for many years to come in the thoughts of all those whose lives he touched.”

John lived his life surrounded by what he called his ‘petty coat government’, with his wife Jane who he married in 1957 as his bedrock of support for 64 years.

John is survived by his wife Jane, his three children Sally, Kate and Charlotte, and six grandchildren.