A homeless man found a home with his partner in Wales in 1975 and stayed for 45 years. He helps them with household chores and in difficult times.
Rob Parsons and his wife Diane, from Cardiff, let a homeless man live with them for decades. As reported by the British news platform “Metro.uk”, it is Ronnie Lockwood that Rob has known since his school days.
“Ronnie is at the same time the most frustrating guest and the most beloved person”
On December 23, 1975, a homeless man suddenly appeared on his doorstep and brought frozen chicken because he couldn’t cook. The couple initially invited him over for a few days to help him. But days turned into months and then years. Eventually he was allowed to live with them permanently while getting work as a scavenger.
“Ronnie was both the most frustrating guest and the most beloved person,” Rob recalls. “Diane often says, ‘I don’t know if I’m his girlfriend, his sister, his social worker, or his mother.'”
Ronnie helps with housework, looks after the children and supports the family in difficult times. Especially after Diana experienced health problems, she took on many tasks which made Rob relieved. He became a reliable friend for the family and an integral part of their daily lives.
Ronnie died at the age of 75
In addition to his work as a garbage collector, Ronnie also performs many duties at the church, reports the Christian news platform “Premier Christianity”. He is reliable, consistent and shows a great willingness to help, for example by giving new shoes to someone in need.
In 2020, Ronnie fell in his room and suffered a stroke. “As the ambulance door closed, I shouted, ‘I love you, Ronnie,’ and he said it back,” Rob said. Soon his condition worsened. Ronnie died at the age of 75.
After his death, it became clear how much influence he had on others. According to Metro.uk, people report helping with everyday things, such as taking out rubbish. In Cardiff, a welfare centre, the Lockwood Centre, is named in his honour.
