Page 45 - Summer2014Gazette
P. 45
Obituary 43
Graham Botley
17 April 1944 – 30 August 2015
It is with great sadness that We would like to highlight
we have to inform you that three qualities shown by
Past President Graham Botley Graham throughout his life;
passed away after a long fight of course there are many
with cancer in August. other qualities than the three
There is so much to write we have chosen as each of
about this great club man that us will have particular fond,
it has taken three of us to pool cherished or loving memories.
our thoughts. Graham, or Firstly, in his company
Gary as some of you will have he exuded a spirit of
known him by, touched us all; familiarity and trust between
with his open personality and friends, a camaraderie
friendship he enriched our that characterised his
lives. We all carry memories travel groups, his teams in
of great discussions and Blackheath & Bromley, his
shared experiences with coaching of youngsters and
him … one of Chris’s own other areas of his working
cherished memories is of environment. This was clear
making short work of a bottle and experienced by all who
of port with Graham and attended his various 70th
Ian Wilson whilst planning birthday parties up and
the Pilgrims Way Relay in down the country last year.
1974 … while the past seven His enthusiasm for athletics
years have been something and supporting athletes
else …. In conversations with at all levels was infectious
Graham during August 2015 and well known. Many here
it was clear that his brave and will have read on the web
courageous battle could only the moving tributes paid to
have one end … and soon… Graham by those within the
and yet even during this British Athletics community
time he believed he might and further afield. Of course
make one last trip to China this bonhomie embraced
…he didn’t stop planning. other sports including bowls
Over a beer in Bromley he and cricket. How delighted
explained a wish early in 2016 we were that he managed
to bring together athletes to make the trip to the
from the incredibly successful Caribbean this year with
period enjoyed by Blackheath the cricket aficionados, the
Harriers in the 1990’s and sunshine and warmth and
during which time he was being amongst great people
team manager and President certainly gave him a lift. A
of Blackheath Harriers in trip to watch the Derby at
1990. He didn’t quite make it Tattenham Corner in 2012
that far. set him thinking about
