HOWARD JEFFREY OF EAGLESFIELD

Last updated 19:42, Thursday, 01 May 2008

HOWARD Jeffery, of The Beeches, Eaglesfield, who was well known throughout Cumbria, died on April 17 aged 63.

Mr Jeffrey was born in Workington and attended Workington Grammar School where he excelled as an all round sportsman.

He became a double English schools international at hurdles and cricket, a rare achievement.

He later played county cricket for Leicestershire.

His prowess at rugby was also recognised with selection for the county, for the North of England versus New Zealand and for the North West Counties versus Australia. He later played rugby for Coventry when it was considered to be the strongest club in England.

It has been said that Mr Jeffrey was perhaps one of the most naturally gifted all round sportsmen of his generation in the county.

A decade after leaving Workington Grammar School to train as a PE teacher, he returned to his beloved county and eventually became head of PE at Whitehaven Grammar School.

His teams were encouraged to play hard, to win fair and with humility, but to learn to lose (if they had to) with dignity.

He established fixtures against the top schools in the north of England where his first XV was unbeaten in his last year as head of PE.

He ended his career as deputy head at Netherhall School, Maryport, retiring in 1996 through ill health.

Outside of education he had many interests. He was a much valued member of Workington Derwent Rotary Club. He became an assistant district governor, but was unable to continue this position within Rotary due to ill health.

He was also involved in Life Education Centres for Cumbria, a charity that encourages children to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, where he was vice chairman.

Illness was also responsible for him having to resign from his position as a governor of Eaglesfield Paddle School.

Many Rotarians, teaching colleagues and friends have paid tribute to his devotion, energy and inspiration, as have many of his ex-pupils.

Mr Jeffrey fought his major illnesses over the last few years with the strength and determination that he showed in every aspect of his life.

His funeral last Wednesday was testimony to the high esteem in which he was held.

He will be greatly missed by his wife Gwen, Sarah, David, Nick and Helen and his grandchildren Matthew, Jonathan, William, James, Thomas, Anna and Callum.