26/03/2026
🕊️
// Vale John “Grambo” Treanor //
We lost a much loved club member last week.
John was Dad to Nicky & Euan Snr, and Granddad to Euan Jnr and Eric Butler.
The family are long time club members with all the boys playing rugby union for Southern Lions.
We offer our deepest condolences to Nicky and all the boys on the loss of their beloved Grambo. We are all sending our love to you.
Grambo will be fondly remembered by us all, and our thoughts are with you and your family.
We will miss you John. Thanks for all the good times.
May you Rest in Peace ❤🤍💙
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The Final Whistle by Mark Gidvani (Silver Lions)
It was a great shock to hear of John’s (Grambo’s) sudden departure, especially as we (the Silver Lion’s rugby fraternity), were planning to hold a surprise party at Grambo’s house (well, at least on a regular basis) before his final goodbye. Unfortunately, we never got the chance. I can well imagine that inimitable twinkle in his eye as he utters those words from up high - “sorry lads, I beat you to it”!
That would be typical of the larrikin nature of this multi-talented legend. Always one to help out on, as well off, the pitch. John, until his gradual decline due to an overworked heart, was a stalwart of the Silver Lions team for many years, always fearlessly carrying the ball great lengths up the field and leaving opposing teams baffled by his mixture of guile, dexterity and ingenuity as he sought ever-more intricate ways of helping the Silver Lions score countless points.
Post match, the intrigue continued as teammates, on hearing that he was a real doctor, lined up for his attention and advice, especially if they thought he could help overcome their many physical and emotional injuries. However, the queue diminished rapidly as folks began to learn the true nature of his medical speciality – vasectomies and I don’t recall whether his offer of cut-price back-street surgery was ever taken up!
“Grambo”, as he affectionately became known, delighted in sharing in the post-match rugby fun and could always be found at any Silver Lions-related event to which he was invited, of which there were many. Like us all he loved a beer and a good laugh with his mates.
Behind the frivolity and superficiality of rugby camaraderie there was also a highly intelligent, active and analytical mind, which could range across all subjects known to man, from the formation of desert rat battalions in WW2 to the machinations of Stalin, Fred Astaire, Fidel Castro, Mick Jagger and Margaret Thatcher to name but a few.
Grambo was known as a wonderful family man, but I’ll stick to the rugby man, as that’s the context in which I knew him. It’s true to say wherever he was he shone a bright light of warmth and good feelings, and it’s that warmth which we remember today.
John “Grambo” Treanor, you will be missed."
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Please see attached for funeral details.
