Jim Friar

Notices of deaths, death announcements and messages.
LawrenceCooper
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Jim Friar

Post by LawrenceCooper » Sun May 29, 2016 11:32 am

From http://www.raycollett.net/worcs/index.htm

27 May. Jim Friar. Very sad news. Jim Friar passed away at home after a short battle with illness. Always courteous he was a true gentleman. Several players have already sent tributes: "He was a knowledgeable, unassuming and helpful a man of great integrity" Richard Turner former county under-120 captain. Former ECF CEO Andrew Farthing wrote Jim was a "positive person, always ready with a friendly smile and a handshake whenever I met him". His loss will be keenly felt in the chess community in Worcestershire and beyond. He leaves wife, Teresa, and two gifted chess playing sons, James and Joseph. Our thoughts are with Teresa and the family. Details of funeral arrangements to follow.

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Carl Hibbard
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Location: Evesham

Re: Jim Friar

Post by Carl Hibbard » Sun May 29, 2016 6:16 pm

Just a nice guy I knew for years since Burntwood so I raise my glass to him on this lovely evening.
Cheers
Carl Hibbard

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Alan Ruffle
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Re: Jim Friar

Post by Alan Ruffle » Tue May 31, 2016 1:55 pm

A Sad Loss
Alan Ruffle

raycollett
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Chess players’ tributes to Jim Friar

Post by raycollett » Sat Jun 04, 2016 10:37 pm

As Worcestershire CA secretary I have received many tributes to Jim.

Frank Pickett , Kidderminster Club player
Had no idea he was ill, last spoke to him during the winter at the mid day session`s at Bewdley Chess club, he was his normal happy self then. Really sorry & shocked at the sad news.

Stephen Woodhouse, Worcestershire team member
I am shocked and saddened. I last saw Jim at the County match against Lincolnshire when he was his usual cheerful and energetic self. I feel for his family, particularly with his boys still being relatively young.

Lee Davis, Malvern Club and Worcestershire team player
What awful news. James and Joseph were the best of rivals for my son Ashley and we shared the friendship of supporting rival football clubs. A lovely, gentle, man.

Ian Ellis, Greenlands Club and Worcestershire team player
That's very sad, Jim was one friendliest people I've met on the chess circuit. I remember him consoling me when I'd travelled all the way to Oxfordshire only to lose after half an hour. I was gutted, he was a true gent.

Jeremy Humphries, Stourbridge Club and Worcestershire team player
This is sad and shocking news, and completely out of the blue, as you say. Thank you for filling in some details. Please express my condolences when you are in contact with Jim’s family.

Richard Turner, Ex president Redditch Club, Under 120 captain Worcs
I was so sorry to hear the news about Jim. A truly good man he will be missed. Please pass on my condolences to his family. I remember his supportive manner win, lose or draw to both James and Joseph in our County matches.
Knowledgeable, unassuming and helpful a man of great integrity. This is sad and shocking news, and completely out of the blue, as you say. Please express my condolences when you are in contact with Jim’s family.

Nic Fallowfield, Stourbridge Club and Worcestershire team player
Terribly sad news

John Wrench, Kidderminster club and Worcestershire team player
Jim has been a good chess team mate and friend for many years but had been unwell for the last few months.

Andrew Farthing, former CEO ECF and secretary of Worcs CA, Current secretary of Worcester & District Chess League, Worcester City club and Worcestershire team player
This is terribly sad news. Jim struck me as a very genuine, positive person, always ready with a friendly smile and a handshake whenever I met him. His loss will be keenly felt in the county’s chess community. I can only imagine how devastating Jim’s passing must be for Teresa and the boys, and my heart goes out to them.

Nick Harris, Worcester City club and Worcestershire team player
Terrible news. I had no idea there was anything wrong until the AGM. I regarded him as a pal, as I imagine everybody did; as you say, always cheerful and optimistic.

Brian Turner, Secretary of Malvern Club, treasurer Worcs CA, and Worcestershire team player
He was a super guy and very sporting chess player and we will all miss him. I know that you had both been friends with Jim for a long time and this will have hit you hard.

Charles Higgie, Former member of Kidderminster club and Worcestershire team player
I was very close to him ... him and his wife used to go out with me and my girlfriend as a foursome - we would enter quizzes together, that sort of thing. He was about the same age as me He was a thoroughly decent bloke, and really sorry that he has gone.

David Fone, President Wolverhampton & District Chess League
I've just received the sad news of Jim's death, a complete shock for me.
I've played Jim a few times over the years, first when he was at West Brom.
A great guy and a very good player. Please can you pass on my personal sympathy to the family and also condolences on behalf of the WDCL of which I am currently President.

Simon Smith, Captain of Warwickshire chess team
The last time I saw Jim was at the Warwickshire V Worcestershire county match. I remember Jim as a true gentleman. Very friendly and generous of spirit. It is sad that he has passed on at so early an age.

GM Keith Arkell ‘s comments reported by Andrew Farthing
He remembered Jim well from his (Keith's) visit to the [Worcestershire] Megafinal and commented on what a cheerful and friendly person he had been and how well he related to the children, in addition to making Keith feel welcome during the event.

Jim Keene, Captain Worcester Bishops team and fellow Worcestershire team player
Very, very sad news about Jim. A most friendly person with a love of chess and his family. A great loss.

Kevin Hurney, South Birmingham Club and Worcestershire chess team player
That’s devastating news Ray.....I had no idea that his illness was as serious as this and he will be greatly missed. His contribution to chess and his incredibly warm personality were two of the things that stood out for me. My thoughts go out to his family and close friends!

Colin Reed, Former webmaster Warwickshire CA and fellow IT specialist.
So terribly sad to hear this about Jim. Although it is a few years now since I last saw him, I always without fail really enjoyed his company and encouragement. As I know Kyle did too.

raycollett
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A tribute a good chess player and a good man: Jim Friar

Post by raycollett » Sat Jun 04, 2016 10:55 pm

Until very recently, like I suspect other chess players, I was completely unaware that anything was amiss. Indeed as recently as late March Jim - cheerful and optimistic as usual - ferried his younger son Joseph to Worcester for a Bennett Cup game. The first sign to me that Jim was ill was when he asked me to substitute for him at the junior club at The King’s School Worcester, where he was chess coach, during the summer term. I last saw Jim at home in Bewdley awaiting more hospital tests early in May when it was clear that he was seriously ill. Jim was generous with his time to help fellow team members as well as youngsters. Unlike many strong players he did not shy away from administrative posts. He was captain of Worcestershire's premier team in the MCCU competition, team captain at Hagley and at Kidderminster clubs, and treasurer of Worcestershire Junior Chess Academy. Jim was also a leading spirit in establishing an afternoon chess club and summer charity chess tournament for mainly local social players at Bewdley. Jim’s passing leaves a big void in the local chess scene. Jim was a man who enjoyed life, his family, his chess, and having a good time. I shall miss his zest for life.

John Wrench
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Re: Jim Friar

Post by John Wrench » Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:22 pm

So sad to hear the news about my good freind and team mate Jim Friar passing away. A true gent, great coach and strong chess player. We'll all miss him and our thoughts are with Teresa, James and Joseph. John Wrench (on behalf of Kidderminster Chess Club)

John Wrench
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Jim Friar - Funeral Details - Monday 13th June

Post by John Wrench » Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:49 pm

Following communication with his family; Jim Friar Funeral Details:...

Monday 13th June at 12noon at St Wulstans R.C. Church, 32 Vale Rd, Stourport, DY13 8YL (Followed by cremation)

At the crematorium it is close friends and family. People can go straight to the Wake at Bewdley Pines from church, they will be expected. [ Bewdley Pines Golf Club, Habberley Road, Bewdley, DY12 1LY ]

Family flowers and donations to Bewdley Medical Centre and The Mesothelioma Society.

LawrenceCooper
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Re: Jim Friar

Post by LawrenceCooper » Mon Jun 13, 2016 2:45 pm

An amazing turn out for the funeral, 200+ would be my estimate.

raycollett
Posts: 231
Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:54 pm

Re: Jim Friar

Post by raycollett » Mon Jun 13, 2016 5:17 pm

John Wrench "Family flowers and donations to Bewdley Medical Centre and The Mesothelioma Society"
[Mesothelioma UK}. Care of B Ince, Funeral Directors, Bank House, Bewdley. DY12 2DX

raycollett
Posts: 231
Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:54 pm

Jim Friar: A further tribute

Post by raycollett » Mon Jun 13, 2016 5:24 pm

Barry Smith (Mercia Chess Club) wrote: "I am shocked and sad to here about Jim. Ken Francis and I knew him when he played for West Bromwich. He was a nice bloke who would always talk to you. He was also a very good player and passed it on to his sons. I am sure I speak for everyone at Mercia in offering our sympathy and condolences ..."

raycollett
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Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:54 pm

Re: Jim Friar

Post by raycollett » Mon Jun 13, 2016 5:38 pm

The funeral was very well attended with standing room only in the church. After a requiem mass and a private cremation, the wake was held at Bewdley Pines Golf Club. I met at least twenty five chess players from Malvern, Worcester, Redditch, Stafford, Mercia, Droitwich, Kidderminster, Halesowen, Bewdley and West Bromwich CCs. A fine send off for a much missed player and chess organiser.