Tears for Bobby

Bobby (94), who gave more than more than 70 years’ service to rowing in Coleraine, passed away at his Portstewart home after a short illness in the early hours of Monday morning.

His wife Roberta said he had been in hospital a couple of weeks ago but had recently returned home.

“He did an awful lot for young people in this area,” she said.

“He was into so many things it was hard to keep track, but his first love was rowing although he loved all sport.

”In fact he was watching rugby on the night before he died.”

Mrs Platt said she expected the funeral to be on Wednesday with family members travelling from the Isle of Wight for the service.

Bobby had been involved with Bann Rowing Club in Coleraine since the early 1940s, firstly as an oarsman and then as a coach and

administrator.

He captained the club in 1959/60 and again for a record 10-year spell from 1972 and was the club president.

However it was as a coach that he excelled, nurturing several rowers to Olympic standard at Coleraine Inst.

See tomorrow’s paper for more.