John Chalkwright sadly passed away just before Christmas. Known as Chalky to his many friends in the materials handling and publishing industries, John died at home surrounded by his family in Colney Heath, Herts, on Saturday 17 December.
John joined us here at Grandflame in 2005 as a senior salesman on Warehouse & Logistics News, after leaving Quartz Publishing, where he had worked in a similar position on various trade titles and exhibitions.
He was well known and much loved in the warehouse and logistics industry both here and in Europe. He brought to the publishing world a unique warmth and enthusiasm that was all his own, and which even tough economic conditions and difficult clients could not dim.
Chalky was a great storyteller and phenomenal joke teller, and the life and soul of any party. Going to trade events and exhibitions was always a joy in his company. A true professional he was completely dedicated and went on working way beyond the call of duty.
A sports lover, keen darts player and an avid supporter of both Spurs and Colney Heath, his local club, John believed in living life to the full, whatever the circumstances. He continued to take holidays and go caravanning up to the last few months.
John had been undergoing cancer treatment for the last year of his life and kept a brave face and remained cheerful right up to the end. At his cremation we sang the song, “Always look on the bright side of life.” To us that was Chalky through and through.
We at Grandflame would like to pass on our heartfelt condolences to John’s wife Marion, their two sons Robert and Stuart, and the rest of the family.
2 Comments
I would like to thank you for your kind words and the thought of putting them on your website.
It is nice to hear how people viewed dad and stories that he did not tell us directly.
To everyone he worked with or brought from him thank you for making his time at work enjoyable
Dad enjoyed working within the industry , even though we did tell him to slow down in the last couple of years. Knowing Dad, I’m sure you will agree that would not stop him doing what he wanted.
To those who attended his funereal sorry I did not introduce myself but thank you for coming.
On behalf myself, Mum, Stuart and the rest of the family….thank you.
Rob
I am so shocked and saddened by this news. John was such a lovely bloke and I had some good laughs with him. He did love a joke and telling a story – some of these jokes and stories were better than others. I hope you are all coping – he is such a massive loss.