It was standing room only today at the funeral of a top Club Man, Graham Packer. The Service was very moving and a fitting tribute to a genuinely great chap.
Graham (pictured above standing second from left) was a key individual in Norwich Union Men’s Hockey Club, appearing in our 1950-1967 History Section as Men’s 2nd XI Captain from 1958, he then served as Club Secretary from 1960 – 66 and Men’s 1st XI Captain from 1966-68, featuring in many photos in the 1968-1983 History Section. Not content with his service to the Men’s Club, Graham was also the first recognised coach for the Ladies Club during the late 70s/mid 80s. The AGM Papers for the NULHC of 1985/6 Season noting the Ladies’ Club gratitude for his help.
Mike Denham, who played alongside Graham, expressed his sadness at hearing of the loss and said: “Graham was a very steady and reliable defender and a very keen club man. He was also a keen tennis player. I have fond memories of Graham from our hockey days together.”
The notice in the EDP can be found here and in the true NU, and now Norwich Dragons Hockey Club spirit, several ex and current Club Members attended Graham’s funeral to pay their respects, with the family noting their appreciation for the kind words written about Graham from a hockey perspective.
RIP Graham Packer
Later in the week of Graham’s funeral, a former club of Graham’s made contact with us:
Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead Hockey Club
GRAHAM PACKER
The club learnt of the sad news this week (27/03/2013) that Graham passed away recently.
Mark Revell, another member from the past wrote with the following:-
It is with great sadness that I notify the club that Graham Packer passed away on the 3rd March at the age of 78. Graham was a significant part of the Sunday morning coaching during the late 70s and 80s and for me was very much one of the key individuals who taught and encouraged myself, my brother and loads of other kids during our early years at the club.
For many years prior to joining Berkhamsted he was an active and key member of Norwich Union Men’s Hockey club (now Norwich Dragons) He was their first and second team captain, club secretary and the first recognised coach to their ladies club. One former team mate described Graham as a very steady and reliable player with a very calming influence in defence when under pressure. This very much describes his coaching. At the time it was an interesting pairing of Graham and Tim Wilcox. Tim taught the tricks of the trade to adopt when the umpire wasn’t watching whilst Graham concentrated on the more graceful skills that were more compliant with the rulebook. Graham really went above and beyond the call of duty giving us lifts home that were well out of his way, and he was really supportive of anyone who wanted to make an effort to improve.
I’ve been fortunate to have played for a number of clubs during my playing years. However the one club that I have the fondest memories is B.H.C. and later on when it adopted a stutter and became B-H-H-H-C. This fondness is down to the likes of Graham and other lovely gentlemen who were prepared to give up their time to help us youngsters out.
And also from Ian Peplow:-
I remember Graham with a great deal of affection. When he first joined the club as I remember, he played for the senior elevens. When he started coaching he joined my team as one of my “ringers” so that he could intoduce his coaching charges to senior hockey.