Ray Starkie
Posted: Tue May 22, 2018 3:39 pm
I received the incredibly sad news today that my Cowley & 4ncl teammate Ray Starkie has passed away. It was at a 4ncl game in January when Ray suddenly felt unwell. Here is the notice posted on the Oxfordshire Chess website:
Ray Starkie (1955-2018)
I am very sad to have to announce that Ray Starkie died yesterday.
He was taken ill earlier this year and subsequently diagnosed with cancer of the throat, but the cancer had already spread too far for it to be treatable.
Ray was not merely a strong player but a highly respected figure on the Oxfordshire chess scene over several decades. He was a member of Cowley Chess Club for more than 40 years, playing throughout that time for our Division 1 teams in the League. He had also served as a team captain, as Chair of the club and as Editor of the clubs magazine, The Chequered Board. During my time at Cowley I have frequently had occasion to appreciate his courtesy, dry wit and always thoughtful comments and advice on club and county chess matters, and I was very fortunate to have him as a Cowley 2 teammate in the last few seasons.
We shall miss him.
Gerard OReilly (22 May 2018)
Ray Starkie (1955-2018)
I am very sad to have to announce that Ray Starkie died yesterday.
He was taken ill earlier this year and subsequently diagnosed with cancer of the throat, but the cancer had already spread too far for it to be treatable.
Ray was not merely a strong player but a highly respected figure on the Oxfordshire chess scene over several decades. He was a member of Cowley Chess Club for more than 40 years, playing throughout that time for our Division 1 teams in the League. He had also served as a team captain, as Chair of the club and as Editor of the clubs magazine, The Chequered Board. During my time at Cowley I have frequently had occasion to appreciate his courtesy, dry wit and always thoughtful comments and advice on club and county chess matters, and I was very fortunate to have him as a Cowley 2 teammate in the last few seasons.
We shall miss him.
Gerard OReilly (22 May 2018)