Posted by Diane Clarke (formerly Singleton) | 02-Dec-2017
I have only this moment found out that one of my oldest friends has died, having Googled his name , as I regularly do, to see what he has achieved or what great work he is doing far away from where I am, In England. I am so shocked and so sad , I send all my love and good wishes to Sue and the family,that he told me so much about, to Linda and Alan in England and to the hundreds of friends and admirers that he had, many of whom have written so movingly on here. I met Roland at our tennis club in Croydon, UK, when we were both about 12 years old. He was a fantastic player and we spent many hours playing tennis together in school holidays- I was never able to beat him! Over the years we were such good friends, visiting each other's homes, going dancing, talking endlessly. There was always something so special about him, he had such joy, was so positive and always happy. I loved to hear about his Bahai faith, to see him so selfless in his work for others. When he went to Canada I heard from him spasmodically, he would occasionally 'phone out of the blue , his opening line was always "How's your backhand?" In 2004 he turned up on my doorstep in Sussex on a trip to the UK to see his family, and we had such a great afternoon, he was able to meet my husband and my son, then aged 14. When I dropped him at the station I watched him walk away , I wondered when I would see him again. Sue, he told me so much about you and the kids, he was so proud of you all, he told me so much about Emily in particular,it is amazing that he had grandkids, he must have been a terrific Grandad. I, and everyone that knew him at the tennis club, will always remember his joy , his laughter, his personality. I am saddened that he could not continue all the work he was involved with- but what a lot he has achieved. My love to you all, I will never forget him. Di x
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