Tributes to popular Ken

5:40pm Thursday 21st June 2007

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The sudden death of a 50-year-old hairdresser from Borehamwood has shocked his many loyal customers.

Ken Newton, who worked at Mane Creations, in Aycliffe Road, for nearly 30 years, died in hospital last Wednesday after becoming ill two weeks earlier.

His wife Carol and daughters Natalie, 22, and Shelley, 20, have been inundated with cards from customers.

Mrs Newton, 48, said: "He was so well-known in the community. All the cards said he was kind and generous. He had a story for everything - everybody loved his stories."

His daughters described him as the life and soul of the party'. Natalie added: "He would always try to help you and if he couldn't, he knew someone who could."

Mr Newton began to feel unwell on May 30, but carried on working. After a visit to accident and emergency a few days later, he was diagnosed with pneumonia, and sent home with medication.

His health deteriorated the next day and he died after spending a week in Barnet Hospital's intensive care ward.

Peter Beal, chief photographer of the Hendon Times Group, had been Mr Newton's friend and customer for 25 years. He said: "He was Mr Borehamwood to me.

"He knew everybody and everybody knew him. There's a feeling of disbelief because he was a great community person."

Mr Newton was a keen dog-lover who attended training clubs and was hoping to take his alsatian Blazer to Crufts next year.

In tribute to his love of dogs, Mr Newton's family have asked for no flowers at his funeral, but for donations to be sent to the German Shepherd Dog Welfare Fund (GSDWF), 94a Shepherds Hill, Harold Wood, Essex RM3 0NJ.

The funeral will take place at St John Fisher and St Thomas More RC Church, in Rossington Avenue, on Tuesday, at 11am. The procession will pass his hairdressing salon on the way.

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