Neil Thomas died shortly before midnight on Thursday 10th June.
Neil had been fighting (with his customary determination) against cancer for some time, and his many friends were delighted that he lived long enough to see firstly his 70th birthday on 31st January this year then the formal opening of the new clubhouse for his club, Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club. Neil became President of the Amateur Rowing Association on 1st April 1985, and served in that post until 1993. I first met Neil in the early 1970s when he was Chairman of what was then the Regattas Committee of the ARA, and over the years he served the sport in countless different roles, including a number of years as Chairman of the National Umpires Commission. He was a FISA umpire from 1972 until 1999.
He will be sadly missed by his many friends from throughout the rowing world.
Funeral & memorial service were held on Monday 21st June.
His sister Rosemary had asked that only family and close friends send flowers
and that anyone who wishes to make a donation should do so either to :
St John's Hospice
Clatterbridge Hospital
Clatterbridge Road
Bebington
WIRRAL
CH63 4JY
or for the promotion of Junior rowing in Wirral, a project very close to
Neil's heart, by sending a cheque payable to Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club
to:
J M Carruthers
Junior Co-ordinator
Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club
98 Downham Road South
Heswall
WIRRAL
CH60 5SQ
Two boats in Neil's memory were launched in July. Report from Liverpool Daily Post
Page produced 12 Jun 2004, last updated 20 Jul 2004.
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