Ceri Dando
Ceri Dando, former president of the Lakeside British Society and a lifelong hands-on community contributor, died September 24 in South Carolina.
He was born April 7, 1931, the only child of Benjamin and Maude Dando, in Treherbert, Wales. The family moved to England when he was five, and Ceri was brought up in Puttenham, Surrey, a village a few miles west of Guildford.
Ceri went to work for Dennis Brothers as an engineering apprentice. He later joined Lucas CAV, a London-based company manufacturing diesel injection equipment, as an engineer. In 1964, the firm gave him and his family the opportunity to immigrate to the United States, where he worked as a resident engineer, living in Farmington, Michigan.
Ceri married Iris (Peggy) Carter in 1954, with whom he had two sons, Jonathan and Jeremy, born in 1958 and 1959.
Ceri began his community activities in England in the 1950s when he volunteered as a St. John’s Ambulance driver and joined the Godalming (Surrey) Round Table. His charitable efforts in the United States extended to working with Meals on Wheels, the Scouts and with the Anglican Church.
The Dandos moved to Greenville, South Carolina in 1980 after his firm built a new plant in Greenburg-Spartanburg.
Following his retirement in 1989, Ceri and Peggy purchased a turn-of-the-century, three-story Queen Anne-style house in Saluda, near Hendersonville, North Carolina, which they converted into a B&B.
After being encouraged by guests to visit Ajijic, Ceri and Peggy decided to settle at Lakeside, building a house in the Raquet Club in San Juan Cosala. Together with a local partner, Ceri built several more homes in the area.
Ceri continued to work tirelessly in favor of charitable endeavors. He helped set up assisted living projects for expats and locals, spearheaded fundraising for needy families, established a soccer team for Mexican youths and helped a bright boy with limited resources through university. A stalwart of the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church congregation, he made significant contributions to the parish’s activities and outreach programs.
Ceri took over the running of the Lakeside British Society in 2000 and took it to another level, turning a declining organization into an important central resource and support group for British expatriates. The significance of the society grew to such an extent that British ambassadors to Mexico visited Lakeside to meet with members after he took over.
In addition to organizing the society’s monthly luncheon with invited speakers, Ceri authored a monthly newsletter for members and friends. He continued to send out his regular dispatches right up until he passed away, musing on his life, travels, and all kinds of current affairs topics.
Ceri was also of tremendous assistance to British expats after the Mexico City embassy closed down the honorary consulate in Guadalajara, helping them with passport and pension issues, as well as offering advice on Mexican bureaucracy, immigration and medical concerns.
For his efforts, he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday honors list in 2013. The medal honors British citizens who make a difference in their communities through voluntary effort. Ceri traveled to Buckingham Palace in London to receive his medal and joined the other recipients at a garden party celebrating their achievements.
Peggy passed away in Ajijic in 2013.
Ceri and his partner Sylvia Mendez have spent the past eight years enjoying cruises, traveling and seeing the world. The couple moved to the White Oaks Estate in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 2021.
Ceri is survived by his partner Sylvia; son Jonathan, wife Cristen and daughter Tessa; and son Jeremy, wife Susan, daughter Michelle and son Benjamin.
A celebration of life service for Ceri will be held at the White Oaks Estate Pavilion on Saturday, October 21.
Although he left Wales at a young age, Ceri maintained a close connection with his birthplace. The closing music at the celebration of life service will be the emotional and passionate Welsh national anthem.
Harry Francis Walker
Harry Francis Walker, 94, died September 17 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Harry was born on January 8, 1929, in Philadelphia, to Johanna and Harry Francis Walker. He picked up his distinct way of saying “iron” and “color” from the early years he lived in Pittsburgh.
His family eventually returned to Philadelphia, where Harry attended West Catholic High School and St. Joseph’s College, and discovered a love of acting. Many years and experiences later, Harry met Maxine Zelikowitz at a pool party, and they married in 1979. Harry had enjoyed a long career in real estate, but at the time most people were looking to retire, he earned a Master’s degree in Gerontology.
Harry and Maxine traveled to Europe several times during their marriage, meeting distant relatives in Ireland. They also visited Mexico numerous times and decided to retire in Ajijic in 1998, beginning their grand adventure here.
Harry made friends and impressed people right away, getting an invitation his first week to join a stage production, starting many years of acting in productions of the Lakeside Little Theater.
Harry starred as Chauncey Gardner in the production of “Being There,” as well as taking supporting roles in musicals such as “Guys and Dolls” and “South Pacific.” His love of performing extended to singing in choirs, both in churches and the secular kind. Harry and Maxine built a beautiful mountainside house for themselves, walked along the malecón every day, and ran an exercise group.
While Harry loved Mexico, he also loved coming back home to Philadelphia to visit his family and see the sights.
Harry lived his life with a laid-back, unruffled outlook. His family and friends will remember his joy and love of life.
Harry is survived by his wife of over 44 years, Maxine; his biological children, Mary Frances “Mimi” Wainwright (Christopher), Harry Jr. (Christine), James (Hal Freedman); his step-children, Bari Rose-Epstein (Roger Epstein), Mark Rose (Mindy Marks-Rose); his grandchildren, Ryan, Benjamin, Emily, Timothy, Andrew, Alexa, Arielle, Hannah; and his great-granddaughter McKenna.
For those who would like to make a donation in his name, please donate to PERF, Pediatric Epilepsy Research Foundation.