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Chris Gandon
07 Dec 2010
"One of nature's true gentlemen" 
Chris Gandon
1945-2010
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected death of Chris Gandon, a long-serving Vice President and genuine stalwart of Sevenoaks Rugby Club and a true friend to all who knew him.
Chris's playing career at Sevenoaks began in the 1970s when he became a regular fixture in the front row of the 1st XV soon after moving into the area from the Midlands. Few of his opponents ever got much change out of Chris on the pitch, but off the field Chris rapidly established a reputation for his kindness and generosity.
His family home at Cedar Cottage in Fairseat became a place of legend; initially for the fact that he almost doubled its size by transporting a barn up from the West Country and attaching it to the side of the house, aided and abetted by several working parties of rugby club members.
Then, over the years, Chris amply repaid that generosity as Cedar Cottage became a magnet for parties and celebrations, whether for bonfire night or, in latter years, as Santa's first port of call on Christmas Eve. Chris's generosity extended far and wide - older club members still recall the back-breaking wood-chopping sessions that Chris used to organise to make sure the old folk of the town had fuel for the winter.
Chris continued to play rugby for Sevenoaks until well after his 50th birthday and it was a source of great satisfaction to him that he managed to play in the same side as each of his sons, Simon and Nick. Indeed, the Gandons became one of the ‘great' families of Sevenoaks rugby, with Simon and Nick both following Dad into the 1st XV and son-in-law Matt and (albeit briefly) daughter Joanna also playing for the club.
Once his playing days were over, Twickenham became a spiritual home for Chris, where it seemed he had his own space reserved in the West Car Park. Anybody lucky enough to meet Chris there for pre-match hospitality will attest to the fact that his car boot was always one of the first to open and usually the last to close. Yet, despite becoming such a familiar sight at the home of English Rugby, Chris clung to his Welshness with a tenacity that belied his gentle home-counties vowels.
Back at Sevenoaks RFC, Chris gave sterling service as chairman of the Forward Planning Committee that helped steer the club through a period of transition and, latterly, as chairman and co-ordinator of our field stewards, who are the envy of clubs throughout Kent. Chris was as passionate about this role as he was about anything else; indeed, the only time anyone can recall Chris ever really ‘losing it' was when the 1st XV collectively forgot to pick up their discarded tape from the pitch at the end of a match - an act of wanton littering that prompted outrage from Mr Gandon!
In his professional life, Chris was a successful partner in several local accountancy firms, all of which, incidentally, became corporate sponsors of the club. Away from rugby, one associates Chris with his passion for his garden and its produce, his passion for sailing and, of course, for his malt whiskies: which, typical of Chris, he never enjoyed more than when he was sharing them with friends around a blazing fire at Cedar Cottage.
And it was his family and friends whom Chris valued above all else. With his dear wife Christine, he created a home that was a joyful cacophony of children, dogs, home-cooking and laughter, and where there was always a warm welcome to be had.
Chris was one of nature's true gentlemen. His departure will leave a massive hole in the lives of all who knew him, but in none more so, of course, than those of Christine and their three children, Simon, Nick and Joanna. We can only hope that our collective thoughts will help give them the strength they need at this difficult time - particularly Christine who, tragically, lost her mother on the same day.
After a small, private family funeral, a memorial service will be held for Chris at St George's Church, Wrotham, on Tuesday 14th December at 14.00hrs. All Chris's friends are welcome to attend and - in typical fashion - the dress code will be club blazer or, failing that, something bright and colourful!
Lee Adamson
Chairman, Sevenoaks RFC