Roy Kissack

Funeral DetailsThe service is to be held at Ruskington Parish church at 12 noon on Thursday 26th November 2009. This will be followed by cremation at 13:10 hrs (Lincoln) and then an opportunity for all to gather and chat at Potters bar in Ruskington.

Family flowers only please - Donations in-lieu of flowers to be announced, but probably an athletics charity (to be announced on the website and at the service

ROY KISSACK6 Aug 1934 - 16 Oct 2009

Roy was born in the Isle of Man in 1934 and joined the RAF during National service remaining in the RAF until he retired in 1989.

During the early 70’s he started field officiating and quickly rose through the grades to achieve grade 1 referee and tongue in cheek he always reminded everyone that he was also a grade 4 track.

Roy mentored many officials during his time in the service and instructed many courses held at RAF Cosford for budding RAF, Navy and Army personal. He was one of the founding members of the RAF athletics association.

His time in the service saw him stationed both in Britain and overseas in Hong Kong, Australia, Aden, Bahrain and Berlin. Whilst stationed in Britain, Roy travelled with the RAF team to Germany for competitions and from the comments of the team managers and other team members it was apparent that Roy was a perfect ambassador for the sport.

After his retirement from the RAF he worked as a civilian at a RAF Digby in Lincolnshire, in fact it was virtually the same job he retired from. During this time and into his retirement Roy was still held in high esteem by his peers, mentoring and nurturing many new officials and always on hand to help anyone who needed it with a cheery smile.

He travelled all over the country for the sport and still maintained his links with the RAF doing many meetings at Cosford and the NIA. He was not only popular on the field but always the life and soul in the bar. Everyone who has ever shared a pint with him has a story to tell and many a fond memory.

Roy was a proud Manxman and one of his career highlights was to referee The All Island Games when it visited his homeland in 2001. His career in Athletics spanned all levels from club to international, officiating at the world student games, world disability games and world veteran’s games as a field official but he also gave up his time to officiate at Cross Country and Sportshall.

At all levels he was always there to allay any fears officials held whether it was because they were new to the sport or new to the occasion. One official summed him up saying “he always impressed me by his quiet patience, particularly with the young athletes and those officials who were much less experienced than himself. I can never remember him appearing stressed whilst officiating and that twinkle in his eye will be sadly missed!”

We would like to thank Richard Dennis, Doug Eke and Ken Hannah for there information.

Funeral details have yet to be confirmed due to a delay in determining the precise cause of death. Once they are known they will be published here. It is expected that the service will take place at Ruskington Parish church followed by cremation.

Family flowers only please - Donations in-lieu of flowers to: <be announced>

For further information please follow this link

Comments

Added: 22/10/2009 22:48:22

The sad news about Roy was a suprise to me like many others, although I knew that he had been ill. Having met him through the world of officating and as a 'youngster' in the field he assisted and mentored the likes of myself at various meetings and championships. He was a gent and will be missed. Sincere condolences to his family. Arwel(Taff) Williams. (LHAC)

By Arwel (Taff) Williams
Added: 27/10/2009 20:32:00

Thank you for taking the time to write about my Dad and the tributes to him, along with many emails Allan my brother has received from his many friends in the athletics field. It is lovely to read so many wonderful tributes about my dad and to know how highly everyone thought of him. Athletics was such a major part of his life and he loved every second of the time he officiated. Even when he was not in the best of health, no amount of "nagging" from us would stop him travelling to wherever he was needed. It is a comfort to us to know how fond everyone was of him. He will leave a massive hole in our family thats for sure. Thank you to you all. Lynda

By Lynda Horsman (Roy's Daughter)
Added: 28/10/2009 11:31:50

Very sorry to read about Roy, he was an inspiration in the officiating world and will be sadly missed, I have worked with Roy on several occasions whilst officiating and always found him encouraging, a great help and fun to work with. We would like to pass on our sympathies to his family. Ros Evenden and family (Leeds City AC)

By Ros. Evenden
Added: 28/10/2009 17:08:27

Sincere condolences to his family from all Roy's athletics mates in Derbyshire. He made so many friends in the County by his willingness to travel to our meetings at Derby Moorways - even when he was not too well. We will always think kindly of him and hold him dear in our memories.

By Frank Gorman
Added: 13/11/2009 13:14:33

Thank you all, on behalf of our family, for the kind comments and many emails we have received. The funeral is now set for 26th Nov (more details at: http://roy.kissack.co.uk )

By Allan Kissack
Added: 11/01/2010 20:48:49

I have just found out (with shock)via the web, that my dear friend Roy passed away in October of 2009. I knew Roy whilst at Little Sai Wan in Hong Kong and we worked together in the same dept whilst at RAF Digby. My sincere condolences to Rita, Lynda & Allan. Roy will always be remembered by me for all the advice and assistance during my time in the RAF. Brian S. Mudge

By Brian S. Mudge
Added: 12/01/2010 20:35:13

Have only just heard of the death of my good friend Roy. Have known Roy for the last 30years having officiated with him at numerous RAF and civilian meetings. It shows the regard in which he was held by the entry in the South of England Officials Communique. He was one of the few true gentlemen that I have known over the years and he will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to his family. Terry Stiby

By Terry Stiby

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