Tony Roocroft, My Father, Mentor & My Digital Marketing Inspiration

Tony Roocroft was once a household name all over the World, as a digital marketing pioneer, not just on the continent of Africa, but his expertise was sort out from other places like the USA, United Kingdom and Germany to name a few other countries. Tony Roocroft is my father, and the reason I do what I do today. He sadly has Alzheimer’s, and this article will dive deep into the World of Tony Roocroft, and how Alzheimer’s changed the greatest mind I have ever known – and honestly I speak on behalf of hundreds of people who feel the same.

This article is dedicated to my father, my mentor, my teacher, my inspiration – Tony Roocroft.

A Journey Through Memories: Honouring My Father, Tony Roocroft, on World Alzheimer’s Day

On the 21st of September, World Alzheimer’s Day, we are called to reflect on the devastation caused by Alzheimer’s disease. For many, this day is just another on the calendar, but for my family and I, it has been a heart wrenching journey since my father, Tony Roocroft, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2007 at the age of just 61. Alzheimer’s is often described as a thief – a silent, relentless robber of memories and minds. And in my father’s case, it has taken away the essence of a man who once lit up so many lives, including mine.

Understanding Alzheimer’s: The Disease That Destroys Lives

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, affecting millions globally. It is a progressive neurological disorder that slowly erodes memory, cognitive function, and even physical abilities. What makes it particularly cruel is that it doesn’t just affect the patient – it shatters the lives of everyone around them. It steals moments, memories, and relationships. The essence of who a person was begins to slip away, leaving a profound emptiness.

Watching my father deteriorate over the years has been like watching a light flicker and slowly fade. Each forgotten name, each moment of confusion, was a stab in the heart. For a man as brilliant, as giving, and as full of life as Tony, this illness has felt doubly cruel.

The Early Life of Tony Roocroft: Humble Beginnings, Unstoppable Drive

Here is what my father wrote, as he tempted to write yet another book (He had sold and published many) – about his life as he first started to notice his memory was going. I think this was in hope that he could always be reminded.

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I was born Anthony Roocroft on February 6th, 1944, at 106 Wigan Road, Hindley, England – just outside Manchester. My early years were shaped by the modest, working class life of our family. My parents, Harry Roocroft and Iris Roocroft (born Jouxson, from Bristol), worked hard to provide for me, my two sisters, Anne, and Amanda Marie (Mandy), and my younger brother, Harry. Growing up, we didn’t have much. In fact, when my father passed away, all I was left with was his raincoat. But it wasn’t the material things that defined us, it was the strong work ethic my parents instilled in me, and the importance of pushing through, no matter the odds.

I went to St Benedict’s in Hindley for my primary schooling, followed by Preston Catholic College, where my interest in academics began to take root. I later earned a bursary to study chemical engineering at Salford University, an opportunity that changed the course of my life. Growing up poor meant that opportunities like this were rare, and I knew I had to make the most of it. I worked hard and excelled in my studies, determined to build a better future.

After finishing my degree in chemical engineering, I began to carve out a successful career. Eventually, I became the marketing director for NPC, a major player in the construction materials industry. It was a role that gave me the foundation for my later entrepreneurial ventures. But even in those early days, I was always searching for something more, something that would allow me to make an even bigger impact.

I married my second and current wife Patricia Anne Hastings in 1987, and had a son, Gareth in 1989 – my second son after Sean Andrew Roocroft in 1969 from my previous marriage.

From Chemical Engineering to Digital Pioneer: A Visionary Emerges

In 1993, I decided to take a leap of faith and start my own business, Focus Garden Products. It was a bold move, but it was the first real step toward building something of my own. Running a business came with its challenges, but it also gave me the freedom to explore new opportunities.

One of those opportunities came in the form of the internet, which was just starting to gain traction. I became fascinated by the limitless potential it held. In 2000, I founded SEOZA.com, a digital marketing agency, at a time when the internet was still in its infancy. There was little information available, so I taught myself everything I could about web development, search engines, and online advertising. I built my first website, which was the first of over 200.

I quickly realised how powerful the internet would become for businesses, and my early adoption of digital marketing technologies put me ahead of the curve. In 2001, I was one of the first people in the world to be given a Gmail address, thanks to my close association with Google through AdSense and other tools. By 2002, I had expanded the business, opening a large office just outside my residence. I’ll admit, I was often too lazy to walk to work, something my son Gareth seems to have inherited from me!

“

A Mentor, Innovator, and Digital Marketing Pioneer

Throughout my career, I was never content to just succeed on my own, I wanted to help others do the same. I began hiring people not based on their experience but on their potential and willingness to learn. My greatest joy was mentoring young minds, giving them the tools they needed to excel. I wasn’t looking for professionals with polished résumés; I was looking for hungry, passionate individuals who were eager to grow.

One of those individuals was Hilton Johani, who reached out to me from Zimbabwe, seeking an opportunity to learn. He became more than just an employee, he became my 3rd son to me. I mentored Hilton, and he went on to become a key figure in digital marketing, heading operations at major companies like Google South Africa and Yellow Pages. He even started his own successful business, and I couldn’t have been prouder to encourage him to take those leaps of faith, knowing he was destined for greatness.

I was also fortunate enough to be part of the Google AdWords Beta testing program and was an early believer in the platform’s potential. I saw it as the future of advertising and played a role in shaping its early development. In time, I became the first Google Partner on the African continent and one of the first ten Google Partners globally.

A Legacy of Knowledge and Success

Over the years, I continued to grow the business, dominating Google’s search rankings in both paid and organic results. I published multiple books on digital marketing, sharing the insights I had gathered from years of experience. Hosting seminars and retreats allowed me to teach others the strategies that had brought me success. I loved those moments of connecting with others – sharing my knowledge, my secrets, and helping them build their own successes.

Looking back now, my journey from a poor boy in Hindley to a digital marketing pioneer feels surreal. My life was built on the principles of hard work, perseverance, and always believing in the potential of others. The legacy I leave behind is not just one of business success, but of the people I’ve mentored and the lives I’ve touched.

Though Alzheimer’s has taken much from me, my story lives on through my son’s Sean and Gareth and through the countless people whose lives were impacted by the lessons I shared. And for that, I am grateful.

“

A Father’s Pride: Tony Roocroft’s Gratitude for His Sons

Throughout his life, my father, Tony Roocroft, never missed an opportunity to express his immense pride and gratitude for his sons, Gareth and Sean. For him, the success and happiness of his children were his greatest achievements.

From an early age, Gareth and Sean brought boundless joy into his life. Gareth, with his deep passion for digital marketing and the outdoors, carried forward many of the lessons and values Tony instilled. Seeing Gareth take on challenges with the same determination and creativity that Tony admired so much filled him with an overwhelming sense of pride.

Sean, too, was a constant source of pride for Tony. His dedication, drive, and unique talents were always a point of admiration. Whether it was watching Sean excel in his endeavours or supporting him through various challenges, Tony’s love and pride in his sons were evident in every word and action.

Tony often spoke about his sons with a glow of gratitude in his eyes. He felt deeply honoured to witness their growth, achievements, and the remarkable individuals they had become. His pride wasn’t just in their successes but in their character, their kindness, perseverance, and integrity were reflections of the values he cherished most.

In his final years, even as Alzheimer’s clouded his mind, his love and pride for Gareth and Sean remained clear. The memories of their shared moments, the milestones they reached, and the way they continued to embody his values were sources of deep fulfilment and gratitude for him. For Tony, seeing his sons thrive was the ultimate testament to a life well-lived.

Tony Roocroft: A Life That Shaped Others

Before Alzheimer’s cast its dark shadow over our lives, my father, Tony Roocroft, was a beacon of knowledge and kindness. He was a digital marketing pioneer in South Africa, a field that he was passionate about long before it became mainstream. He wasn’t just a businessman, he was a teacher, a mentor, and a guiding light for so many, myself included. Through his work, he gave people the tools they needed to succeed, but his true gift was the unwavering belief he had in others.

One of those people was Hilton Johani, a man who came to South Africa from Zimbabwe with nothing but a desire to learn and a drive to succeed. Hilton reached out to my father through an email, desperate for guidance, seeking a mentor in the field of SEO and digital marketing. My father didn’t hesitate. He set Hilton up with the basics: accommodation, a bank account, and, most importantly, a shot at learning the skills he needed. Over time, Hilton thrived, eventually heading up operations at Yellow Pages and Google South Africa, and today, he runs his own successful business. My father didn’t just change Hilton’s life, he gave him the wings to soar.

Hilton has always described my father as a role model, not just because of his expertise, but because of his generosity, patience, and willingness to share his knowledge. Hilton’s story is just one of many, but it’s one that profoundly illustrates the ripple effect of my father’s kindness and mentorship.

A Father, Mentor, and Teacher: The Impact of Tony Roocroft on My Life

To me, Tony Roocroft wasn’t just a father; he was my guide, my teacher, my mentor. He taught me everything I know about digital marketing, instilling in me the same passion and dedication he had for the industry. But more than that, he taught me about life, about kindness, integrity, and the value of helping others. Whether we were sitting by the computer discussing SEO strategies or enjoying one of our fishing trips in nature, every moment with him felt like an opportunity to learn something new.

I would be nothing without my father. He taught me everything I knew, and got me passionate about SEO mainly at the age of 12, when I built my first website under his watch. I could go on for weeks about my father.

Fishing and the outdoors became our shared haven. My father had a way of finding peace in nature that was contagious, and it’s something I carry with me today. Every time I cast a line or take a walk through the wilds of South Africa, I feel his presence with me. It’s a connection that transcends the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s, even as it continues to take pieces of him away.

He started my love of fly fishing, something he did from a young age in the England streams around Hindley. Then, the most impactful thing he did, was create my love for the bushveld, especially the Kruger National Park. He inspired my creation of Stories Of The Kruger, and intrigued my love for all things nature related, from grass species, to birds, to the Big 5.

As his illness progressed, I realised how much more I still had to learn from him. The hardest part has been watching his once-sharp mind deteriorate before I could fully soak up all the knowledge he had to offer. The father I knew, a man who could solve complex digital marketing problems with ease, who loved nothing more than sharing his expertise with others, was slipping away, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

Prim Villa: A Sanctuary of Care and Support

In the years since my father’s diagnosis, one place has been a constant source of comfort for both him and our family: Prim Villa Methodist Home. Located in Germiston, South Africa, this incredible facility is dedicated to caring for patients with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and bipolar disorder. The care they provide has been nothing short of exceptional. Prim Villa is not just a home for those who can no longer care for themselves – it is a sanctuary. The staff there treat every resident with dignity, compassion, and an understanding that goes beyond mere medical care.

My father has been at Prim Villa for several years now, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing he is in such capable hands is indescribable. They’ve been more than just caregivers, they’ve become part of our extended family, providing unwavering support through some of the darkest times of our lives. Their dedication to ensuring that my father, and others like him, live with as much comfort and dignity as possible is a gift I can never fully repay.

If you know someone suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or another mental health disorder, I cannot stress enough the importance of having a place like Prim Villa. The work they do is nothing short of life-changing, and we owe them so much for the kindness and love they show each and every day. You can learn more about this remarkable home on their website here.

What I would really love to do is raise funds for Prim Villa to increase and support their amazing methods. If you are able to, please get in touch with Zandri below, or click the button below to get in touch with Prim Villa. They do so much, for so many, and the whole Methodist Homes Group is a non-profit organisation like no other… If it was not for them, I do not know what we would have done.

THANK YOU PRIM VILLA!

Raising Awareness for World Alzheimer’s Day

Today, as we acknowledge World Alzheimer’s Day, my hope is that we can raise awareness for this devastating illness. Alzheimer’s doesn’t just rob people of their memories, it robs families of their loved ones, friends of their companions, and children of their parents. The emotional toll is immense, and the financial and logistical challenges are overwhelming for many.

My family’s story is just one among millions, and while I feel my father’s absence every day, I also feel a duty to honour the incredible man he was. By sharing his story, I hope to shed light on the human side of Alzheimer’s. It’s easy to get lost in the medical jargon and statistics, but behind every diagnosis is a person, a father, a mother, a friend, who is slowly losing the essence of who they are.

If you take anything away from reading this, let it be this: Alzheimer’s is not just a disease of the elderly. It is a disease that can affect anyone, and the sooner we work together to find a cure, the fewer families will have to endure the pain that mine has faced.

A Legacy of Kindness, Knowledge, and Love

As I reflect on my father’s life, I am reminded not of the illness that has taken him from us, but of the incredible legacy he leaves behind. He inspired me to pursue my passions in digital marketing, nature, and fishing. He gave countless people, like Hilton Johani, a chance to succeed (Including an incredible platform for Sean and I). And through it all, he remained a kind, generous, and loving father.

I miss him every day. And while I can no longer learn from him in the way I once did, I take solace in the fact that his lessons, his kindness, and his spirit live on in me and in everyone whose lives he touched.

Let us honour Tony Roocroft, and all those like him, by raising awareness, advocating for better care and research, and, most importantly, by holding onto the memories of those we love.

Because in the end, Alzheimer’s may take their memories, but it can never erase the love and impact they have left behind.

In Memory of My Father’s Legacy, Tony Roocroft

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