The Club regrets the passing of Michael Fowler last Friday evening. He was a staunch member and supporter of the Club particularly in the 80’s, both as a marshall week after week and as Assistant Treasurer.
While never a racing man he was a member of the “Last of the Summer Wine”- a group who trained with the younger members of the Club, had their own group jerseys and participated in rides for charity such as the 100 mile round Lough Neagh for Action Cancer.
The Club sends its sympathy to his wife – Molly, and the whole family circle at this time.
The funeral will be held on Wednesday 13 November at 11am in Clarkes Funeral Church, and afterwards at Movilla Cemetery.
Club president Billy Kirk contacted us with some stories. Michael and Billy both rode their first race on the same night – a 10 mile time trial in 1949! Billy did a short 29, with Michael recording 31 minutes. Around the same time, the two boys decided to ride down to Tyrella for a day at the beach. On the way home, Michael’s pedal broke. They borrowed a rope from a farmer, and took it in turns to tow each other home.
And Alastair Martin shared the follow story –
“I remember sitting in church one Sunday morning, half listening to the sermon, when a drunk staggered in, sat down at the front, and started shouting abuse at the minister. We were shocked, frozen to our seats with fear, and secretly wishing he would disappear. After a couple of minutes, Michael got up from his seat, and went and sat down beside the man, talking quietly to him. Calm soon returned, and the service was able to continue. This happened more than 30 years ago, but that simple act of basic human decency had a far greater impact on me than 1000s of eloquent words.
I spent many happy hours on club runs with Michael in the late ’70s and early ’80s. The example he, and others, set was a key influence during my formative years. I can only aspire to live up to those values. Thank you Michael – it was an honour to have known you.”
There are some other messages on the club Facebook page.