Ron O'Connor was born in 1938. In 1953 when he was 15, he became an Indentured Stonemason Apprentice, with the South Western Stone Company, where his Grandfather had worked, and Father and two Uncles still worked. He was trained as a Banker Mason, and then spent time outside Fixing, before returning to work in the Setting-out Shop, progressing to the Drawing Office as a Draughtsman.He attended the Hammersmith College of Building, Arts and Crafts.During his apprenticeship he obtained;1st class Intermediate Certificate, 1st class Final Certificate,1st class Full Technological Certificate of the City & Guilds Institute. He won many Trade and School prizes, culminating in First Place in the… National Apprentice Competitions at Olympia London.In 1958 he did his National Service in The Royal Engineers.In 1960 he returned and continued to work for the South Western Stone Company, in the drawing office.During the following years, there was a decline in the stone industry, Masons were being made redundant, and the future of new stone buildings was in doubt. He decided he had to widen his opportunities, and reluctantly left the stone industry to concentrate on Architecture.He joined the Architects Department of a major contractor, as an Architectural Assistant. He later moved to other National contractors and held positions as a Design Manager and Technical Manager.He also worked with an Architect in Private Practice.During this time he joined; The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, The Construction Surveyors Institute, and became an Associate Member of The Royal Institute of British Architects.He survived the 1973 depression, but in the 1992 depression, companies were closing down satellite offices and his position became redundant. No other compatible position was available, at that time. Not being the type of person to sit around, he took a job in an Autistic School, and also did work for the Probation Service, supervising Offenders on Community Service Projects. Ron then discovered that the Stone Industry was enjoying a revival. A lot of restoration work was required. So he decided to rejoin the industry. He re-established contacts with old colleagues, and was welcomed back into the trade.He spent the time up to his retirement and beyond, working as a Mason, Surveyor, Draughtsman and Consultant to the Industry.