John and his 40 cm aperture Meade Lightbridge Dobsonian at the Orwell Park Observatory 2010 open evening.
Orwell Astronomical Society (Ipswich)
John Wainwright
(d. 17 November 2024)
John and his 40 cm aperture Meade Lightbridge Dobsonian at the Orwell Park Observatory 2010 open evening.
John Wainwright joined OASI in 2006 and, in 2008, was elected to the Committee and became Equipment Curator. He regularly attended meetings at Orwell Park Observatory and Newbourne Village Hall; he only missed such events very rarely, when he was away cruising with friends.
John was especially helpful to new members of OASI and was always willing to share his knowledge and technical skill with anyone struggling to set up and use a new telescope. If required, he always seemed to be able to produce a necessary tool or spare part from his vast inventory!
He was an enthusiastic member of OASI's outreach team and, again, it was very rare for him to miss an outreach event. He was prepared for every eventuality, his car loaded to the maximum with astronomical equipment packed into every nook and cranny!
At open weekends at Orwell Park Observatory, John would invariably be located on the sports field, operating one of his massive Dobsonian telescopes: in his words open field observing. He also provided safety lighting and supplied walkie talkies for use by volunteers. Indeed, he liked gadgets, owned a vast stock of computer equipment, and always had the latest smartphone. I was always fascinated by his enormous watch!
He also was a keen amateur radio enthusiast and I can remember him hunting for bargains at a radio rally in Kirton.
At Wednesday weekly meetings at Orwell Park Observatory, those present would hear the clock tower striking 10 o’clock or, as John would put it, pub o’clock. This was the signal to adjourn the meeting and head to a nearby pub. Sometimes, when the skies were cloudy, pub o’clock would occur a little earlier! John was partial to a glass of San Miguel and we will miss the discount card that he used at the Thrasher pub.
In the last few months of his life, John's health was not of the best, and he passed away peacefully in Ipswich Hospital on Sunday 17 November 2024. He will be missed by all members of OASI. His friendly countenance and willingness to give his time for the benefit of others will not be forgotten.
Andy Gibbs