It is with sadness that I have to advise you of the death of Colin Commander, who was a popular and very convivial member of the club in the 1960’s. He joined Leamington when the Colts side was being formed in the latter part of the 50’s, having learned his rugby in his school days at Leamington College.
His father, Tom, had played for the club shortly after it was formed and went on to serve as club captain from 1936, holding the post until fixtures re-commenced in earnest at the end of the second world war.
A man of imposing stature, Colin soon graduated from the Colts and in the early sixties became a regular in the 2nd row of the 1st XV alongside other legends of that era, including John (Oggie) Thompson, Bill Wiggins, and John Lyne. He was always excellent company in any gathering and his job in the food industry allowed him to amass a wealth of very humorous stories, which he always related with great gusto. Humour apart, he was also a very good man to have alongside you on the rugby field where he gave his all to the team and to his club.
This ability was inevitably recognised by others and it was our club’s loss and their gain when in 1967 he moved to Welford Road to join Leicester Tigers, where he held a place in their first team for several seasons.
Always a keen sportsman, he shared his love of rugby with his commitment to Water Polo, playing, like his father before him and many other Leamington Rugby Club players, for Leamington Swimming Club, to a high standard.
His business took him to Northern Ireland where he settled for the second half of his life and where he was able to indulge in his other passion – golf. He, and his wife Sue, also greatly enjoyed caravanning and they eventually parked their ‘second home’ permanently on a holiday complex in Spain which was adjacent to a golf course and where they spent many happy times.
It might be thought fitting that, early this week, whilst playing this course, he hit a magnificent drive off the 4th tee and collapsed whilst being congratulated by his fellow players.
His funeral will by now have taken place and his ashes are being flown home, where it is hoped at some time to have a Thanksgiving Service for a life lived to the full, not necessarily with wonderful health, but in great spirit. We send our deep condolences to Sue and to David and Ross, their two sons.