Tribute to Isle of Wight chiropodist Jason Mansell

Tributes have been paid to the businessman, family man and Ventnor Carnival volunteer.

The 55-year-old was born in Walsall, West Midlands, to Doreen and Cyril Mansell and then became an older brother when Julian arrived.

From a young age he was obsessed with cars. His first was an Austin J40 pedal car, The Big Car as he called it. He moved on to Triumph cars when he passed his test at 18, which remained his passion all his life.

He met Jane at the age of 18, on a blind date in 1988 when she was a student nurse. They married in 1992. 

They had three children - Jake, Jess and Josh.

Jason decided to change careers following a conversation with his mother, after she had been to see a chiropodist and felt wonderful. It sparked a career that he put everything into.  

In 2002, the family moved to the Isle of Wight and bought their first house in Bonchurch.

Later they moved to St Lawrence and spent 17 years in the village.

During that time, Jason and Jane founded Isle of Wight Feet and set up the surgery and shoe shop in Shanklin. The shop was well known as the Croc Shop by many, due to selling Crocs, a shoe Jason loved.  

Jason's shop, Isle of Wight Feet. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Jason was well known Islandwide as a chiropodist and gained many clients and friends along the way.

He was a member of Shanklin and Sandown Golf Club, playing three times a week, and loved the camaraderie of his fellow golfers who became great friends. 

He was also a mason with Yarborough Lodge and enjoyed meeting fellow masons at events all over the Island.  

Ventnor Carnival became a part of Jason and Jane's lives for nearly ten years and he could be seen driving the car pulling the Queen's float. 

In the last few years, as the children had grown up, Jason and Jane began travelling, enjoying many holidays abroad including a visit to Dubai in May, which he didn't stop talking about and was eager to revisit. 

More holidays were planned to Tunisia, South Africa and Australia.  

Jason died very suddenly on August 3 with Jane and the children by his side. 

It was just a week before the annual Ventnor Carnival.

Ventnor Carnival Association paid tribute with a statement, saying:  "It's with great sadness that we hear the news of the passing of Jason Mansell, a great support to our carnival for many years and will be missed.

"A complete shock to us all, thoughts are with the family at this sad time."