To the staff at Gosport Borough Council who knew him, Ron Wilson will always be remembered as being ‘Mr Millennium’ a character with a huge smile and a laugh to match.
Ron took early retirement from Gosport Borough Council in December 2001 after having overseen and delivered the Gosport aspects of the multi-million pound Millennium Project, the Renaissance of Portsmouth Harbour.
He had worked at Gosport Council for nearly 27 years when he retired and during that time he had 8 changes of title. Ron joined the Council in 1975 as a Principal Planning Assistant.
In 1981, he undertook an MSc in Public Policy Studies and in 1982 was made Acting Planning Officer, a post that was to later change to include responsibility for Economic Development.
Promotion saw him take on the position of Chief Planning Officer in 1985. He then took on the role of Assistant Director of Technical Services (Planning), a title that was to change in 1986, to Acting Director of Technical Services.
In 1988, Ron became Assistant Chief Executive to then Chief Executive, David Hooper. He became Town Manager in 1990, and it was whilst in this role Ron that took on the responsibility of the ‘News and Information Unit’, the in-house Print Room and the organising of Events, which included the famous Gosport Summer Festival.
Known as a man always immaculately turned out, it was strange to see Ron arrive for the office in a suit and then emerge dressed in track suit and trainers to sort out the PA sound system, the security or the inevitable ‘difficult’ star at the Festival!
His position as town Manager was re-designated in 1994, to Economic Development Services Manager, a role he continued in until the Millennium Commission announcement in 1995, of the Council’s success in obtaining funding for the ‘Renaissance of Portsmouth Harbour Project’. This project, a joint initiative between Gosport and Portsmouth Councils and the Naval Base Property Trust, would see the initiation of many local elements for Gosport. It was at this time that Ron took on the dual responsibility of Millennium Project Director and Economic Regeneration Manager.
Some might say it was at this time that Ron came into his own, fronting a whole team of people and charged with the task of producing, for the town, the most prestigious project yet; the stunning new Millennium Promenade; spectacular Forton Lake Bridge; outstanding Timespace and state-of-the-art Explosion! museum.
Although Gosport has seen many changes over the years, it was The Renaissance of Portsmouth Harbour, Millennium Project which brought Gosport to the fore, winning award after award for its outstanding quality and workmanship.
On his departure from the Council Ron planned to spend more time relaxing and holidaying with wife Sheila, and also said he intended to take up golf. However it wasn’t too long before the work bug bit and he found himself tutoring at Portsmouth University, a job that he thoroughly enjoyed, watching and helping the next generation of young people to make their statement on our society.
Staff at the Council were completely shocked to hear the sad news that Ron had passed away. This hard working but fun loving family man, with a laugh that could be heard several offices away, was no more.
Members too, some who had known Ron even before he started at the Council, were shocked, people like Cllr Peter Edgar who remembered signing on Ron as a footballer for Gosport Borough Football Club, in his younger days.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Shaun Cully said, “Ron was a great man - a real character and I know I speak on behalf of all Gosport Councillors when I say he was a man who made a difference in whatever job he undertook and that The Renaissance of Portsmouth Harbour is testament to the quality of work Ron produced. He will be sadly missed by everyone at Gosport, and no doubt by all the many students he taught and friends he has made over the years. Our hearts and thoughts are with his wife Sheila and his sons Jamie and Stephen at this difficult time.”
The funeral will take place on Monday 29 October at 11.30am at Portchester Crematorium. The family have requested family flowers only, but donations can be made, if wanted, to The Coop Funeral Directors Fareham for The British Heart Foundation.
