It is with great sadness that I have to bring you news of the passing of Neil Patterson, yesterday morning.  It is hard to put into words what Neil meant to so many people.

'It's not that anyone had a bad word to say about Neil.  It's that everyone has only good things to say about Neil.'

His imprint on the squash scene in the club and across the county will be remembered by many, for a long time to come.  Neil started playing team squash at Billingham Forum in the 70's. He was the last surviving 'life member' of the group that built Norton Squash Club in 1981.  He was then part of the group that helped save the Stockton Racecourse when it was originally threatened with closure.  After the eventual closure of the 'Racecourse' in 1991 he moved to Yarm. He had played team squash for the Forum, Norton, Stockton Racecourse and Yarm over 4 decades.

Neil was known by all  who knew him as a kind, thoughtful and generous man.  He had been ill with cancer for more than a decade.  Although for more parts of the decade he still looked fitter and healthier than most of us.  I never once heard him complain about the illness that eventually took him.  After his illness forced him to stop playing squash he was still active and many of you will have shared a tee time with at Eaglescliffe Golf course where he played with that same happy and thoughtful demeanor.... save from the odd outburst that affects every golfer!

Neil leaves behind his wife Jo and daughters Lois and Rachel.

Funeral and donation details will be shared when known.

He will be greatly missed by many.  

RIP Neil, and thank you.