A FORMER Islander who became a naturalised American, Jonathan Colin Hawkins, died suddenly at his home in Mesquite, Nevada, on September 24, aged 49.
Born in Hadleigh, Essex, on August 16, 1968, his family moved to Paddock Drive, Bembridge, in 1977, and he attended the former Forelands Middle School in the village.
As a member of Bembridge Youth Football Club, he gained a player of the year trophy.
After spending three years in Kent, Mr Hawkins returned to the Island and enrolled on a hotel management course at the former IW College of Arts and Technology.
He married Zoe Kingham in 1990 and worked at Hills furniture store in Ryde. He was also a member of Ryde Golf Club.
The couple emigrated to the United States in 1993, initially living in Globe, Arizona, where he worked as a landscape gardener for a new housing development.
His passion for golf led to him becoming club champion at Bookcliff Country Club in 2007 and had held its course record for several years. As a result, he earned an invite to play at the famous Sawgrass Country Club course in Florida.
Mr Hawkins won several trophies, which included the title of amateur champion at the Rocky Mountain Open in 2000.
The couple moved to Bristol, New Hampshire, in 2012. Mr Hawkins spent most of his free time restoring his 150-year-old home before they moved to Mesquite.
Mr Hawkins leaves his wife Zoe, his father, Tony, stepmother, Gwen, elder brother, Nicholas, and their extended family.