Address by Brian ****** on 16 February 2008
John Runtz
A warm welcome to you all.
It is my privilege, as his friend and as President of the Old Georgians'Association, to say a few words about John, who we are remembering heretoday in the chapel of St George's college where he was a pupil, as werehis brothers - Jimmy and Peter - Fr Anthony of the Josephite Communityhere and in the USA and for a time Parish Priest of Addlestone.
The St George's link is a very strong one, for the boys' Father, Jack ,was also an Old Georgian and President of the Association.
He it was who stood sponsor for me at my Confirmation in the old, homelyand welcoming Chapel of those days.
John left St George's in1943 and immediately enlisted in RAF, where hewas selected for Pilot training. But the supply, after years of shortage,outstripped demand so he re-mustered as an Air Gunner, reaching the rankof Sergeant.
Being Air Crew, with the Brevet, was a coveted mark of distinction inthose days and remains so.
The coming of Peace enabled him to pick up his sporting career and he wassoon playing for Rosslyn Park, a notable First Class Club, and for Surreyin the Championship .He achieved eminence in the game as known andrespected player, with many favourable Press reports, something perhapsnot fully understood in these days of Professionalism. Later he wasCaptain of the Esher Club.
He was a significant presence at St George's in my time here and heplayed each year in the Old Georgians' Rugby Match against the College.How proud we were to be on the same field as him and how encouraging hewas to us all. We could well appreciate his skill and flair. The matchhad status when he played.
When Boxing was reintroduced for a time he was our instructor, anadmirable one - so light on his feet and so quick. But he watched over usand made sure that nobody was ever severely hurt. Skill was the thing. Atother times he was seen to effect on the Cricket and Hockey fields
More recently my wife and I were very pleased to welcome him for meals toour home in Addlestone. Many were the good talks we had of other days andtheir happenings.
We spoke of things which are important and which bring happy memories.
And so, we are gathered to recall him in memory in the Chapel of StGeorge's, a place which meant a lot to him and where he figuredprominently and where wandering s and uncertainties fall away. We callhim to mind and think of him in our prayers, for which purpose we arehere, together with Yvonne, today.
John Runtz
A warm welcome to you all.
It is my privilege, as his friend and as President of the Old Georgians'Association, to say a few words about John, who we are remembering heretoday in the chapel of St George's college where he was a pupil, as werehis brothers - Jimmy and Peter - Fr Anthony of the Josephite Communityhere and in the USA and for a time Parish Priest of Addlestone.
The St George's link is a very strong one, for the boys' Father, Jack ,was also an Old Georgian and President of the Association.
He it was who stood sponsor for me at my Confirmation in the old, homelyand welcoming Chapel of those days.
John left St George's in1943 and immediately enlisted in RAF, where hewas selected for Pilot training. But the supply, after years of shortage,outstripped demand so he re-mustered as an Air Gunner, reaching the rankof Sergeant.
Being Air Crew, with the Brevet, was a coveted mark of distinction inthose days and remains so.
The coming of Peace enabled him to pick up his sporting career and he wassoon playing for Rosslyn Park, a notable First Class Club, and for Surreyin the Championship .He achieved eminence in the game as known andrespected player, with many favourable Press reports, something perhapsnot fully understood in these days of Professionalism. Later he wasCaptain of the Esher Club.
He was a significant presence at St George's in my time here and heplayed each year in the Old Georgians' Rugby Match against the College.How proud we were to be on the same field as him and how encouraging hewas to us all. We could well appreciate his skill and flair. The matchhad status when he played.
When Boxing was reintroduced for a time he was our instructor, anadmirable one - so light on his feet and so quick. But he watched over usand made sure that nobody was ever severely hurt. Skill was the thing. Atother times he was seen to effect on the Cricket and Hockey fields
More recently my wife and I were very pleased to welcome him for meals toour home in Addlestone. Many were the good talks we had of other days andtheir happenings.
We spoke of things which are important and which bring happy memories.
And so, we are gathered to recall him in memory in the Chapel of StGeorge's, a place which meant a lot to him and where he figuredprominently and where wandering s and uncertainties fall away. We callhim to mind and think of him in our prayers, for which purpose we arehere, together with Yvonne, today.
- 11 JAN 1926 - Birth -
- 2001 - Census - ; Weybridge
- 6 FEB 2008 - Death -
- 16 FEB 2008 - Requiem Mass - ; St George''s College Weybridge
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| PARENT (M) John Cyril Munro Runtz | |||
| Birth | 22 DEC 1895 | ||
| Death | 1970 | ||
| Marriage | 4 JUN 1924 | to Lilian Monica Pericho | |
| Father | Ernest Augustus Runtz | ||
| Mother | Mary Anne Margaret Munro | ||
| PARENT (F) Lilian Monica Pericho | |||
| Birth | 1894 | ||
| Death | 1968 | ||
| Marriage | 4 JUN 1924 | to John Cyril Munro Runtz | |
| Father | ? | ||
| Mother | ? | ||
| CHILDREN | |||
| M | John William Runtz | ||
| Birth | 11 JAN 1926 | ||
| Death | 6 FEB 2008 | ||
| M | Peter Donald Alexander Munro Runtz | ||
| Birth | 1 MAR 1928 | ||
| Death | 11 APR 2006 | Santa Maria Santa Barbara California USA | |
| M | James Munro Runtz | ||
| Birth | 22 JUL 1932 | ||
| Death | 17 FEB 2013 | ||
