First Posted: 21 April 2020
HDVBA Vice-President Allan Dobson, has provided this tribute to John Hoyle.
‘A true gentleman’, ‘A great bowler’, ‘Kind, friendly and hard-working’, the various tributes go on and on. Many of our members will never know of his total and utter commitment to the HDVBA, especially with regard to his meticulous planning and preparation of the recent Golden Jubilee celebration event at Meltham.
The passing of our President has left a huge void. He will be sadly missed by all who had the privilege to know him. John, I salute you, and, on behalf of the members of the management committee, I thank you for your companionship and your unceasing and unselfish efforts.
Without any trace of irony, I add a final comment: ‘John Hoyle, a giant of a man.’
Following the passing of John Hoyle yesterday the Huddersfield bowling community has come together to remember our President with a number of tributes, memories and testimonials received through various channels. These have included this website, our Member's Forum, our Facebook pages and through email. Some of these are specific to his work in our Association and others are more general tributes. We have pulled all these together into one place below.
RIP gentleman John will be sadly missed my thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad passing. Michael Pollard, Slaithwaite BC
RIP John, a lovely fellow a great player too, condolences to the family. John Allen, Lindley BC A proper gentleman and was a brilliant player ..... very sad, Steve Hirst 😔
As nice a bloke as you could wish to meet, very sad news. Chris Squires, Milnsbridge BC
John was an excellent General Secretary of the Vets league. Alan Hirst, former President of the HDVBA and Thongsbridge BC
R.I.P. John Michael Conneely, Lockwood Con
Really sorry to hear the sad news of John's death this morning. He was a real gentleman and will be remembered by many. His work for the 50th, Anniversary (even though he was ill) will always be appreciated. Geoff Sykes, Farnley Tyas
I am so sorry to hear about John. I’ve only known him for a few years and we always had a friendly chat when we met. He was a lovely man and we could all see how determined he was for the 50th anniversary to be successful even though he clearly wasn’t well. Philip Walker, Lindley BC
I am very sad to hear the news about John Hoyle I grew up with John we lived on the same street in Lockwood in the 40s and 50s we were at school together and in later life we lived in the same drive in Crosland Hill and you could not wish to meet a nicer man. If you would pass on my deepest sympathy to Doreen and his family from myself and my wife it would be most kind. Also from Marsh United BC. Brian Swift
How sad to hear the news. John worked so tirelessly for our Association as well as having to cope with the closure of the Canalside green when Huddersfield Town 'slipped through' their plans for the changes there. David Union, Outland BC