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Remembering Holbeach St Johns man Roy Coxon who did so much for others




The family of a much loved Holbeach St Johns man have pledged to take part in a sponsored walk in his memory next year.

Roy Coxon (75) passed away in July after being admitted into hospital for an operation on an aortic aneurysm. Sadly, he did not survive the surgery.

Roy had also lived with Parkinson’s Disease, having been diagnosed three years ago, and previously gave a touching interview to Spalding Today about his experience with the condition.

Roy and Jane pictured in April when he spoke about life with Parkinson's.
Roy and Jane pictured in April when he spoke about life with Parkinson's.

The interview coincided with World Parkinson’s Day in April and Roy’s story helped others to understand Parkinson’s.

He was chairman of the Spalding and district Parkinson’s branch, taking part in annual sponsored walks for the organisation.

His wife, Jane (71), helped with the running of the branch and is still continuing that role.

Roy was a keen boater. (16808049)
Roy was a keen boater. (16808049)

She said: “Roy enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie of the group. He became chairman in 2018 and during his time he took part in the nationally organised walks for Parkinson’s at Burghley House in Stamford.

“I have challenged the family to take part in the walk to be held in the autumn of 2020, in his memory.”

Roy grew up in Leicester with his sister Joan. He pursued a career in engineering and in his younger years completed many long distance walks and represented Leicester county in road cycling.

He leaves behind two sons, Michael and Russell, from his first marriage.

Roy having just completed the Walk for Parkinson's UK at Burghley Park in Stamford in 2018. (16808047)
Roy having just completed the Walk for Parkinson's UK at Burghley Park in Stamford in 2018. (16808047)

Following a major motorbike accident in his 20s he changed career and became a chiropractor, setting up his own clinic, which he called The Coxon Clinic in London Road, Spalding.

It was there he met Jane when she went to see him for a back treatment.

“We set up home in Holbeach St Johns,” she said, “which was half-way between the clinic and where I taught in Long Sutton.

Roy and son Michael pictured in 1991. (16808053)
Roy and son Michael pictured in 1991. (16808053)

“Roy had very varied interests including walking, camping and caravanning. He gradually took more interest in boating and later model boating and model railways.

“In his late 50s, he had a terrific amount of back pain and thought it was as a result of the motorbike accident. But he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2016.”

Roy and son Russell in 1993. (16808055)
Roy and son Russell in 1993. (16808055)

Speaking in April, Roy said: “I have a fairly cheerful demeanour. But you can look miserable. It’s called the ‘Parkinson’s mask’.

“A friend said to me ‘why are you looking so miserable?’ I can laugh about it but some people can’t.”

A celebration of Roy’s life was held at the South Lincolnshire crematorium in Surfleet last month.

SEE ALSO:

As April 11 marks World Parkinson's Day, a Holbeach St Johns man speaks about his diagnosis of the condition

Spalding Parkinson's group raises more than £500



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