Tributes paid after death of bowls stalwart Keith Mercer (From York Press)

Tributes paid after death of bowls stalwart Keith Mercer

10:51am Thursday 4th October 2012 in Sport

TRIBUTES have been paid to respected York bowls stalwart Keith Mercer, who has died suddenly.

Mercer, 73, played bowls in the city for many years, as well as serving as assistant secretary in the York Working Men’s Club and Institute Union (CIU) bowls section.

York CIU bowls secretary Malcolm Dewhirst said: “Keith recently died unexpectedly and will be greatly missed by his bowling colleagues and friends.

“He was a well-known and respected bowler, playing outdoor with Railway Institute and indoor at New Earswick Bowls Club.”

Mercer was a member of the CIU bowls league committee for many years and was secretary of the Railway Institute CIU bowls team from 1988 until his death.

Dewhirst added: “He was noted in his secretarial duties for being a meticulous person.

“Paying attention to detail was a quality he had learned in his long career with British Rail when working in the diagramming section preparing train timetables.

“He was the last but one person to be called up for National Service when he joined the RAF. Later, after completing National Service, he joined the Territorial Army and served for 13 years, during which time he attained the rank of staff sergeant.”

Mercer leaves a widow, Valerie, a daughter, Susan, and a son, Andrew, together with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.