Since I wrote the below last month, the saddest news is that Frank passed away last week on the night of 20th February. His brother John told me that he died peacefully and that he and Kim were with him at the end and that we were all thinking of him. John continued by thanking us for the wishes and sorrow over this time and that they especially will miss him terribly.

The funeral will take place on Wednesday 8th March at 2.15pm New Southgate Crematorium, Brunswick Rd. Drinks and food will be available at the Nicholas Nickleby, Stroud Green Rd. John has asked to know whether anyone is coming from PCC and how many of us there will be there so please RSVP to me and I'll pass it on. Thanks. Pete

Steve has said that he will provide Frank's career stats soon but has the following for now:- Frank made his Pacific debut on the 6th of July 1986. Pacific didn't play UCS until the 25th of August 1990, but Frank didn't play this game. His first match against UCS was the 2-day match the following year on the 20th and 21st of July 1991. He mainly kept in that match, but took off the gloves to bowl 6.5 overs and take 3 for 23 in UCS's first innings. He only batted in Pacific's first innings, scoring 10. As far as I can make out Frank made the switch from Pacific to UCS about the turn of the millennium. He played 25 games for Pacific in 1997, 18 in 1998, 9 in 1999, 7 in 2000, twice in 2001, but didn't play for us at all in 2002 and 2003. He played the odd game after that, mostly against Locksbottom.

12/2/17

News reached me this week which saddened me to hear and that our one time Stroud Green village stalwart is currently in a care home in Golders Green having reached advanced stages of lung cancer and is spreading virulently. His brother JB said that he'd not wanted people to know but longtime friend & occasinal Pacifician Mike Wilcznski was determined to see him and the visit went as well as could be expected.

John has therefore opened up the position so that all his friends and teammates should know and that if anyone would like to visit him to contact either John or myself for the address.

Once I heard about this I checked with Steve Lay to see who Frank had played with but the list is almost everyone in the club! Which I'd not fully realised.
Pete

Tributes 

Kevin Murphy: "I am truly saddened to hear of the passing of Frank. My time playing with Pacific provided me with some of the happiest memories I've known, and Frank was a huge part of that. He has frequently come to mind in the years since I last played. He will be much missed. Please convey my thoughts to John. My sympathy to his family, friends, and his Pacific CC family, of which he was a beloved part. Best, Kev."

Nigel Wilkinson, long-serving captain: "Wow, that's really terrible news. Frank was a very nice bloke and a really great cricketer. I'm really sad to hear about his passing and hope you can pass on our sincere condolences to JB and his family. Won't be returning to the old country for a while (am in Borneo at present!) so won't be around for funeral/wake, in case you wondered."

Alan Carter of Crossbats CC: "Do indeed remember Frank. I think he probably stumped me several times. It's good we all have such good memories of Frank. Best wishes. Alan."

Ben Hardisty: "I spent my playing days at Pacific usually in the same team as Frank. When I joined the club he could not have been more welcoming. Frank had a tremendous skillset - a fabulous wicketkeeper, solid bat, excellent fielder and wily spinner. But he will be remembered more for his dry wit, enthusiasm and support for his team mates. Standing in the slip cordon I can still hear the chat and laughter we shared. Great times."