Tributes to Frank Rixon a man who always put others first

Frank Rixon, from Amesbury, who died on September 4, raised money by collecting stamps and bottle tops.

His daughter Margaret Bewes described him as a man whose first thought was to give to others.

She said: “He loved to give his money away to good causes and helping people out. He was just so generous.

“He would collect hundreds of stamps and then get them all collected up to send away.

“At his 90th birthday party instead of people buying him presents he asked that they donate money to the guide dog association.

In addition to all of his fundraising he also released a book about all of his exploits called Just Being Frank.

Mrs Bewes added: “He lived such an incredible life. He joined the army when he was 14 years old in 1935, then fought in the Second World War during the siege of Malta.”

The guide dog association had recently named their newest puppy Rixon in memory of him and Debbie Furnell, who formed the Salisbury branch, paid tribute to him.

She said: “I met Frank after he saw a story in the Salisbury Journal regarding the Salisbury & District Guide Dogs opening four years ago.

“Frank had seen friends left with severe sight loss during the war and had seen how guide dogs had helped many of them regain independence and mobility, after shocking injuries.

“He had therefore been supporting the charity for many years by collecting used postage stamps and donating the funds raised to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

“It is for this reason we decided as a group that we would dedicate our fourth puppy to Frank and call him Rixon.

“Our Name A Puppy Appeal will now be in memory of Frank and I think this will be a very fitting tribute to someone who felt so much passion for our charity.

“I had only known Frank for a relatively short time but I feel very privileged to have met such a loving, wonderful man who I know is going to be very sadly missed.”