Sunday 9 December 2012

Sad news of a fallen teammate... (Fri, Dec 7)

It is with regret that I post the news of the untimely death of Gavin Fulton. I won't write too much here, except to say Gavin was taken to hospital on Fri night and unfortunately he didn't make it. He leaves behind his wife Jill and 2 young daughters who are also members of the club. My condolences go to them. Gavin was a great guy to be around, always smiling and recounting funny stories from the squash courts of Agilent and Grange. This picture taken after he won a final in the Grange Open recently is the only image I ever have of Gavin - always smiling! May he rest in peace.

Funeral is 2pm Tue Dec 18  at Warriston, function at Grange pavilion afterwards.
(His widow Jill would be happy for all his clubmates and those from other clubs to attend.)

Initial The Scotsman Report

TV report after the court case

Another report

Full Page tribute in Evening News

Deadline News PA report

List of people with message of condolences (apologies for omissions):
------------
Ross Anderson - The Dean SC
Matthew Hunter

Ken Steele - ESC
David Coutts
Mark ~Adderley

Bill Brown - Colinton Castle SC
Robin Nisbet - Bank of Scotland SC

David Legge - Dunbar SC

Claire Gray - ESSA/HWU
Richard McIntosh - Watsonians SC

Peter O'Hara - Newlands
Andrew McSherry - Whitecraigs

Agilent
--
Iain Gourlay
Charlie Patrick
Jim Watson
Gordon Hunter
Alec Allan
Alan Murray

Grange SC
--
Peter Cockburn (Club Captain)
Neil Christison (Chairman, The Grange Club)
Gordon Tolland (Secretary, The Grange Club)
Bill Marshall(Club President)
Ali Ross (Vice President)
Christy Looby (Tournament Sec)
Will Kerr (Club champ)
Brian Sloan
Patrick Langley
Stuart Moffatt
Dougie Brown
Alan Stokes
Mike Douglas
Allan Wallace
Allan Hamer
Gordon Sloan 

9 comments:

Ken Steele said...

I am shocked to read this. I didn't know Gavin very well but remember him from his Agilent days. I played him the week before last when your 2s played our 4s. We were both absolutely hopeless to the extent we were laughing at how bad it was. He won though. Nice guy. Very sad.

Mark Adderley said...

I can't believe this news and am absolutely gutted. I marked a game of his recently and I can't wish to have known a happier guy on court - always a smile for everyone. Having met a number of times at kids squash, he was a fantastic supportive dad always ready for a chat. A real loss and my thoughts go to all his family and friends.

GrangeSquashClub said...

Thanks everyone - messages coming in from all the clubs and even Peter O'Hara and Andrew McSherry in the West leagues.
I will bind all messages and pass them on, let me know if this isn't ok.

Pete C said...

What a shock! It was an absolute honour to know Gav as both a friend and a fellow squash player. A top guy to have around the club and playing on the teams. Always a competitor. He played hard but always with a smile on his face and some banter for his opponents and team mates. The way it should be! Will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

Gordon Sloan said...

Incredibly sad news. I echo Pete's comments - Gav was a truly great guy to be around - constant laughter when he was down at the club and at away matches. He will be greatly missed and thoughts continue to be with the family.

David Legge said...

On behalf of Dunbar Squash Club our sincere condolences to Gavin's family. We came accross Gavin in the ESSA leagues regularly over the years. I personally played against Gavin, and refereed him, and he was a real Gentleman both on and off court. Many of our members have commented on this tragic news. A real loss and our thoughts are with his Family and friends.
David Legge

Anonymous said...

This is tremendously sad news.

Gavin played squash against Watsonians on many occasions as both an Agilent and a Grange player. He always enjoyed the matches and, as many have said already, he smiled and laughed whatever the result.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.

Richard McIntosh
Watsonian Squash Rackets Club, Edinburgh

GrangeSquashClub said...

Ken, here are Gavin's comments on his last team match, he was SO on the same wavelength as you....

GAV>I was garbage but was lucky enough that my opponent was also having a howler of a night and I managed to grind out a win (still don't know how!!!).
PeteC> Good job on your win.
GAV>No, definitely not a good job. More an early xmas present from the ESC.

Ross Anderson said...

RIP Gavin - such a shock sad loss as squash player, friend and work colleague. Spoke with him last Thursday at work about his match against John Miller at Deer Park and his delight at winning his tie. I enjoyed having friendly matches with him on Friday afternoons. On behalf of Dean Squash Club our condolences and sympathy to his family. He will be sadly missed.