John Grundy (15 Apr 1933 - 30 Jan 2023)

In loving memory of John Grundy who sadly passed away on 30th January 2023

John was born in Bromley, Kent in April 1933, the middle child with two sisters, and lived there for all his childhood and youth. His early schooling was disrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War and subsequent evacuations to Morley, Yorkshire and Penarth, South Wales but aged 11 he gained a place at St Dunstan’s College in Catford, S E London. During his time there he found his love of rugby, playing for the school and after for the Old Dunstonian’s club. He followed the England rugby team through their highs and lows. As a teenager and young man he socialised with his friends and peers at the local tennis and church youth clubs. Golf became his chosen sporting hobby when the physicality of rugby became too much.

On leaving school at 16 he went to work in London for Downtons, an advertising agency that specialised in promoting films, predominantly those made by the Rank Organisation. From humble beginnings in the post room he rose to hold positions in account handling, media buying (newspaper and poster advertising space) oversight of the creative teams, to management of the agency and finally, as Managing Director. Downtons was the most significant player in creating advertising campaigns for the global release of British films as well as in the UK for Hollywood blockbusters. It was always based in or near to Soho. As figurehead of the agency John regularly attended the Cannes Film Festival to meet with studio clients, filmmakers and talent. One such attendance, whilst on a clients’ yacht, led to him meeting Andrew Lloyd Webber and fellow Old Dunstonian Brian Brolly. Impressed by the pitch for Andrew’s new musical project “Cats” he invested in it and continued his association with the Really Useful Group for many more years.

He & friends supported the England rugby team at home and away matches. Following England’s defeat in Dublin in 1983 five of them, whilst drowning their sorrows in a bar, were given a token wooden spoon by their Irish friends. To soften the humiliation they decided to hold a charity golf match and it’s success led to the birth of The Wooden Spoon charity, now a national rugby and golf based organisation raising money for projects supporting children with significant additional needs and their families. This is something of which John was enormously proud, combining his love of the two sports and an overwhelming philanthropic nature. He became the first Chairman of the Kent branch. Having joined Knole Park Golf Club they often hosted Wooden Spoon events. He continued his support of the charity until his death.

Despite increasing difficulties with mobility John travelled to Japan, aged 85, for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The thrill of the bucket list trip helped deaden the disappointment of England not winning a RWC final, this time against South Africa.

In playing golf he made many more long-standing friendships over the years, playing regularly at Knole, at the Cinque Ports club in Deal and by invitation to other courses. A group of such friends travelled for a long weekend each year to play in Belgium.

In 1957 John married Janet, also from Bromley . They had two daughters and lived for the beginning of their family life in Halstead. They divorced and John married Decima in 1975, welcoming three more daughters into the fold; they lived first in Chipstead and moved to Ide Hill in 1988. On retirement John became greatly involved in Ide Hill village life for many years as church warden, a regular contributor to the flower festival, helping in setting up the Community shop, running the successful Tombola stall at the summer fair and the Christmas turkey orders initiative in liaison with a local turkey farmer.

John was very interested in his father’s First World War history and spent time researching this. He loved the time he spent with his family and was thrilled to see the addition of new generations.

He is survived by his two daughters from his first marriage to Janet, three step daughters from his marriage to Decima, six grandchildren, five great grandchildren and his two sisters and their families.

He will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.

We look forward to welcoming you to John’s funeral in order to celebrate his long life. Always a snappy dresser himself, please feel free to wear what you think John would appreciate.