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Bertrand Arthur (Bertie) Styles

Bertrand Arthur (Bertie) Styles

Roger Corbett27 May 2022 - 22:00
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It is with deep regret and sadness that we learned of the passing of former Club President Bertie Styles on Thursday 26th May 2022, aged 87 years

Bertie was a life-long and highly respected member of Bangor Rugby Football Club, joining as a player in the mid-1950s from Bangor Grammar School. As a competent open-side wing forward, Bertie gave great service to the Club as a player for more than a decade up to the mid-1960s. Undoubtedly, the highlight of Bertie’s playing career was his appearance for Bangor 2nd XV in the final of the Harden Cup at Ravenhill in the 1959-60 season, where the team narrowly lost to Queen’s Freshers.

However, Bertie will be remembered most of all for being a great clubman. He was always immaculately dressed, Styles by name and stylish by nature, and was one of the friendliest, most helpful and modest men anyone could have had the pleasure of knowing. After his playing days, Bertie made a valuable contribution to the smooth running of the club as a quiet but highly competent and diligent administrator. He served Bangor well as Fixtures Secretary during the 1980s, and was instrumental in bringing the Irish Wolfhounds and Cardiff to Upritchard Park to celebrate the Club’s centenary year in the 1985-86 season. He later served the Club well at the Ulster Branch as Clubs’ Committee Representative for many years, always rushing back from Ravenhill meetings to present his impeccably hand-written and informative reports to Rugby Committee that same evening. In the 93-94 season, Bertie was delighted to serve as Club President, a role he carried out with distinction and some humour. Always keen on sport, Bertie was not only an active tennis player for many years, he also enjoyed the camaraderie and competitiveness of participating in the Thursday night veterans’ touch rugby run-outs, and on occasion volunteered to help take training for the lower teams on Thursday nights when asked.

Bertie also took pride in later years following his son Bertrand’s (Bertie Junior) sporting career, and was an avid spectator at Bangor’s home games in the early 2000s, during which time Bertie Junior was a successful and popular Club Captain. Although his health began to deteriorate in his early 80s, Bertie retained a genuine fondness for the Club and was in great form during the former Captains’ and Presidents’ event in 2019 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the opening of Upritchard Park in 1969.

A gentleman, a friend, and a lifelong Bangor Rugby man, Bertie will be sadly missed but warmly remembered by all of us. To his wife Olive; his daughters Debbie, Victoria and Louise, son Bertrand (Bertie Jnr) and the extended family circle, we extend our deepest sympathy.

Bertie’s funeral service will be held on Thursday 2nd June at 9:30am in St Columbanus Church, Ballyholme, followed by burial in Clandeboye Cemetery.

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