Neighbours pay tribute to grandad of their street (From Haringey Independent)

Neighbours in Teynton Terrace, Tottenham, pay tribute to grandad of their street

5:06pm Monday 8th October 2012 in News By Bruce Thain

Neighbours have paid tribute to a man who recently passed away who they call the grandad of their street.

Ron Barnett, 86, of Teynton Terrace, in the Tower Gardens Estate, Tottenham, passed away just over a week ago after suffering from a long illness.

Neighbours have paid tribute to him saying he was a valued member of the community and will be missed by those living on the road.

Dawnette Walker, who was neighbours with Mr Barnett for 10 years said: “To say he will be missed nn the street is an understatement.

“We’re all a family here and it does feel like we have lost a member. He was like the grandad of the street and we would always have long talks together.

“He lovely man and he will be missed.”

Mr Barnett, who lived on the road for more than 30 years, is most fondly remembered for his work trimming all the hedges in the front gardens.

For his dedication to the front gardens of Teynton Terrace he received a Better Haringey Award for his service to the community.

Kim Fritz, 35, said: “He was such a nice man and we would always see him in the street and he would always make time to talk to you.

“He so kind to us and he would regularly talk. We’re very sad that he has gone and he will be missed. The street does feel a bit empty without him, like something’s missing.”

Kieran Hart, 54, who lived opposite Mr Barnett for more than 20 years said: “He has a very generous man but also a bit of a stubborn gentleman.

“Every summer he would be out cutting the hedges and in the winter he would be shovelling snow, but he would never take anything in exchange.

“He had a great pride in the street and the community and he was very humble. I think one way or another, the road will miss him.”

Mr Barnett was born in Bethnal Green and during WWII he served in the RAF as a mechanic and following the war he worked for British Gas for more than 30 years in maintenance.

People living on the road are planning to get either a plaque on his house or a bench in Lordship Lane Rec as a tribute to Mr Bennett and his role in the community.