Covid-19 has sadly claimed another victim.

Peter Reynolds, was loved and cherished by his family and liked and respected by everyone who met him throughout his life.  

He was a loyal Arsenal man who served in the RAF and in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers for decades while raising two children with his wife of 55 years, Jenny.  

Yet the dreadful coronavirus pandemic took him after a brave fight this month – leaving his family and friends devastated.

A family man and a loyal Arsenal who served his country with distinction   

Peter had been a loyal Arsenal supporter all his life, first watching his beloved heroes at Highbury as a youth. 

The passionate Gunner had been given his lifelong love of the club from his father, with the club remaining a constant through decades of proudly serving his country in postings in the UK and abroad.

Peter, who was born in South Africa in 1942, where his father was stationed in the Army, grew up in Kingston-upon-Thames, joining the RAF in the 1960s before moving to REME, where he served with distinction for 26 years.

In later years, one of his happiest memories had been a tour of the Emirates with his grandson Alex, where they met former Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker.

Dad lived for his family and The Arsenal – he was a lovely man

Peter’s grieving daughter Natalie takes up the story. Speaking to the Gooner Fanzine she recalled with fondness: “My father’s love of The Arsenal came from my grandfather who could tell you everything there was to know about the club. 

“Dad lived for The Arsenal and football. Even in his later years it made him so happy to be able to visit the Emirates with his grandson Alex.

“He also coached and refereed junior teams and was asked if he wanted to take the class one referee’s exam which could have meant taking charge of league games - but he turned it down because he thought it would interfere with serving his country in the forces.

“He was a lovely, lovely man – it’s such a shock. We still can’t believe he’s gone.” 

It hurts not to say goodbye to dad in person

To compound matters, due to social distancing measures and strict restrictions placed on funerals during lockdown, many of Peter’s family, friends and well-wishers are prevented from attending his cremation next month. 

With daughter Natalie living in Berkshire and Peter’s funeral taking place in Yorkshire, it means her and her immediate family will not be able to say goodbye in person.

“It’s so hard not being able to be there, to say goodbye and to be able to even hug each other,” she added. 

“Unable to be at the funeral, we spoke about how we could best say farewell and give dad what he would have wanted – and because he was such a huge Arsenal fan, we thought it would be a nice touch if we could get the club to send a card of condolence. 

“It would have meant so much to dad – and us. I know he would be looking down smiling at the fact Arsenal sent a card. He would be overwhelmed and we would too.”

Peter’s brave fight against coronavirus  

On Sunday, April 5, Natalie received a call from her brother Mark, saying their father wasn’t very well. 

Peter had been taken to Pinderfield Hospital in Wakefield, west Yorkshire – near to where he lived in the village of Crigglestone - where he subsequently tested positive for Covid-19 and put on a ventilator as he suffered from asthma.

“He was in self-isolation before he was admitted, but no-one knows where he got the virus from," Natalie explained, adding: “We thought he was getting better at first but, unfortunately, he went downhill fast, and required a ventilator in the hospital’s ICU department.”

Despite expert care from the dedicated NHS staff at the hospital, sadly Peter died from coronavirus on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 15.

In praise of the ‘wonderful’ NHS

Fighting back the tears, brave daughter Natalie added: “I can’t thank everyone at the NHS enough for their care and support. 

“Because of the restrictions on travel we couldn’t be there at his side when he passed – but I know he didn’t die alone because the wonderful NHS staff would have been with him. We are just so sad at losing him.”

Despite being unable to be present at Peter’s funeral on May 11 through tight lockdown restrictions on travel, Natalie has already purchased two Arsenal flags which the family would like placed on his coffin. 

A card from Arsenal at dad’s funeral would bring us comfort 

“How much would a card mean from Arsenal?” Natalie asked. “It would bring us as a family a huge amount of comfort knowing there was recognition from the club for all his years of loyal support.  

“I know it would put the biggest smile on dad’s face and it would be part of our contribution to saying goodbye to the best dad in the world.” 

Raising cash for the NHS 

As well as being a big Arsenal and football fan, Peter loved most sports, including boxing.

In a bid to raise money for the NHS, specifically for the hospital that treated him, his grandson, Alex Reynolds is lining up a big bout to boost funds.

Once lockdown restrictions are fully lifted Alex intends to fight for the WCF English title to raise much-needed cash for the hospital’s ICU ward, which cared so well for his late grandfather.  

Alex, 21, said: “My granddad spent his last days on the ward and they did an absolutely amazing job with him, making him feel comfortable, giving him the care he needed and constantly updating his family. I cannot thank the ICU staff enough for everything they did to try and save my granddad.

“My white collar boxing fundraiser is in memory of Peter Anthony George Reynolds. May you rest in peace. You will never be forgotten.”

Alex had intended to raise £500 for the NHS – but thanks to the generosity of Peter’s friends and family, at the time of writing the total donated stands at more than £1,400. 

Perhaps the Arsenal Family could boost this figure even more. 

If you would like to contribute to Alex’s cause and raise money for the wonderful NHS you can donate here. 

Peter George Anthony Reynolds  1942 - 2020. He leaves wife of 55 years, Jenny, two children, Mark and Natalie and four grandchildren, Aimee, Alex, Jack and Freya. RIP