Cyril Perry, the last surviving founder of Chinnor Rugby Club, has died, aged 80.
He was an all-round sportsman, involved in boxing and running as well as rugby.
Born in Lancashire, he was brought up in Bicester, and went to Bicester Grammar School. After training in Loughborough, he taught at Kidlington's Gosford Hill School, Bicester, London and then in High Wycombe and Princes Risborough.
He introduced rugby to Princes Risborough School and was a founder of Chinnor Rugby Club in 1963.
The club used Bledlow Ridge cricket club hall and Towersey Pavilion, which Mr Perry helped build, before the club settled in its current home in Kingsey Road, Thame.
When the club was first formed, the players used to bathe after the matches in Mr Perry's home at 21 Lower Road, Chinnor.
He played with the club for many years and then became a referee. He retired from teaching 20 years ago.
Mr Perry kept his interest in rugby right through the last year when he was in the nursing home and watched England win the World Cup.
Mr Perry was a Labour Party member and took an active part in many groups in Chinnor and Thame.
He died in Mandeville Grange nursing home, Aylesbury, on February 11. His funeral service will be held in St Andrew's Church, Chinnor, at noon today.
He leaves a widow Dora, two sons, David and Robert, who are both teachers, and a daughter Jill Austen.
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