Stewart McQuillin, of Carlisle Squash Club, was a former county player and executive committee member. He passed away earlier this month aged 85.
Cumbria Squash would like to pass on its condolences to Stewart’s family and friends both inside and out of the squash community.
Words below from Cumbria Squash & Racketball chairman Tom Armstrong:
Unfortunately I have some more sad news to report – I have had to do this several times over recent years – another good man gone – it is not a good feeling.
Today I report the death of another squash colleague, who I looked upon as a good friend, Stewart McQuillin of Carlisle Squash Club who died after a long fight with serious illness. Stewart was 85 years old.
I first met him in the 1960s when I started to play squash and “he was the man” – he was the top player in Cumberland and Westmoreland SRA (CWSRA) that everyone looked up to and tried to beat. He was the County Champion.
Stewart was a major contributor in the early days of the formation and development of our organisation. In mid/late 1960,s CWSRA was disbanded for reasons unknown to me, leaving no formal county association. In 1969 Stewart was one of a small group of players who reformed the organisation, still known as CWSRA. The Executive Committee was made up of players who you will remember – me (Workington Iron & Steel Company), Stewart (Carlisle), Derek Ockendon &Brian Strong (Windscale) and David Marshall (St Bees School). Stewart was Chairman of the organisation until 1979/80 season. The organisation has continued its development over the years since then to what we have now.
In addition to his county work Stewart was a major contributor to the development of Carlisle Squash Club from its small beginning with one court to the excellent complex it is now – he was one of a small group of trustees that created the idea of a new club and financed and managed the work – and still continue to do so.
So we have a lot to thank Stewart for.
He was a quiet person, a real gentleman, who will be sadly missed. So, personally and on behalf of our organisation I give our condolences to his family, friends and squash colleagues for their loss.