Sadly, a long-standing member of the Club and close friend of mine, Chris Boon, passed away on Monday 6th April. Chris was on holiday in Southern Spain and developed respiratory problems (not Coronavirus) which led to a stay in hospital. He had recovered sufficiently to be discharged but regretfully died unexpectedly later that evening.
Chris was a keen and long-standing Club member and was Rear Commodore House about 10 years ago. He had a passion for cooking and took great interest in the catering side of the Club and was responsible for appointing Phillippe, an experienced French chef.
He was very much a proud family man. Along with his wife Caroline were his two children, Amanda and Edward and he was blessed by three grandchildren born over the last five years. Kingswear and the River Dart played an important part in all of their lives and fun times were had on the family boat moored at Darthaven. Bertie the dog was an integral part of Chris’s recent life and they enjoyed early morning walks in the nearby countryside.
As a young man Chris joined the Police Force and spent a good deal of his time playing County level cricket. He then changed career and worked in the Tobacco Industry, both for Rothmans and latterly British American Tobacco. His work as an international marketing manager took him all over the world which allowed him to indulge his love of food and fine hotels.
I first became friends with Chris about 12 years ago. I used to pull his leg that he was a grumpy old man, which outwardly was his demeanour. In reality, he was a kind and generous man with a great sense of humour and most interesting and informed company. He introduced me to lobster fishing and my overriding memory of Chris will be chugging out in the boat in the early morning sunshine to inspect our pots. He was an accomplished chef and dinner at the Boons was invariably a special occasion where we could appreciate his cooking skills.
Chris and Caroline spent the early part of recent years in Nerja in Southern Spain. It became an essential part of Chris’s life and he looked forward to the sun and the social life that Spain provided. If you wanted to know where to buy a particular wine or food item in Spain, Chris was an encyclopaedia of knowledge on the subject.
I and his many friends will miss him enormously. A big man with a big heart and a zest for life. My thoughts and love go to Caroline and family at this difficult time.
Tony Swainston