VALE JOHN THRELFALL
It is with sadness we report the loss of a Lane Cove Rugby Club and GRFC alumnus with the recent death of John Threlfall. John passed away on Friday, 15 February 2019.
Amongst those with whom John played and with whom he was good mates were Ross and Barry Prowse, Bob Sampson (who remembers John as a “good bloke”) and many others from that era.
John’s funeral service is to be held at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Delhi Road, North Ryde on Monday, 25 February 2019 at 12.00pm. John is survived by his wife Kristin and daughter Belinda.
John’s brother in law, Richard Watkins, has provided us with the above details. Naturally, any of you who remember John and are able to attend would be extremely welcome by his family.
Doug Marsh from Lane Cove Rugby Club recalls John had moved to the US to work for 3M where he remained for about 35 years. He returned to Australia some years ago and started a business. His family stayed in the US and John would return back there about every three months.
John’s wife is hoping to start a scholarship for Lane Cove Juniors. It was what John wanted to do because he was treated so well at Lane Cove. He lost his parents when very young and was given boots by club supporters and help with participating in a club trip to New Zealand.
Similarly, Bob Sinclair and Kevin Preston (both Lane Cove tragics) have good memories of John’s kindness and his memories of being supported at the club with boots and kit.
It is not surprising to Doug that John remembered this kindness for so long as his own memories of some of the “greats” of Lane Cover Rugby Club (such as Ken Oliver, Gordon Blinkhorn, John Leckie, Jim Knox, Dave Kensett, Jackie Somerville, Jim Murray and others) are similar.
Bob Sampson also recalls that John played his junior rugby at Lane Cove with David Leckie. He apparently also has a lot to do with USA rugby whilst living over there.
Hugh Trollope remembers John reasonably well as a handy 2nd rower (lock to modern players), “quite a big bloke” and strong. At the time of him playing at Gordon he was still in the Police Force. He was quietly spoken and always had a grin on his face according to Hugh.
Naturally, as always, we are saddened at John’s passing as GRFC is lessened by the death of any of our alumni. We are, however, extremely grateful to Richard for passing on the details of John’s death and funeral and to those FOG’s who have provided some background to John’s life.