Denny was a Bangor man through and through. Following his education and introduction to rugby at Campbell College and then Queens University Belfast (where he also started playing the bagpipes), he joined the family estate agency and auctioneering business. His degree in agriculture provided him with a good insight for farm land business and a love of country life in general. Having played rugby both at school and university, he joined Bangor Rugby Football Club and enjoyed many years playing hooker across the club’s middle teams. Despite his later retirement from senior rugby, he continued to play socially in the Thursday night touch rugby group, and was even known to temporarily come out of retirement to answer the occasional call for help when a team needed front row cover. When it was finally time to hang up his boots, Denny continued to keep closely involved with the club, taking on the role of Development Officer on Management Committee and later as President in 1999-2000. Even when these formal roles were over, Denny was always involved in the life and work of the club, and later took on the overseeing role of Club Trustee. In recognising his unswerving dedication to the life and work of the club, he was made an Honorary Life Member. In more recent years, he was a regular travelling alickadoo who, in the company of like-minded friends, enjoyed the unique craic of a rugby trip.

Denny was a true Upritchard Park man. He was a faithful touchline supporter, generous sponsor, flag-hoister and provider (twice, in fact, after the first flag was stolen), and scoreboard operator (having also donated it). It must have been in his blood, as it was his father, Jack, who had been instrumental in making the introduction to the original landowner for the purchase of land that would eventually become Upritchard Park. Away from the pitch, Denny was the ultimate ‘meeter and greeter’, welcoming visitors and chatting to players, no matter their age or standing. He never had a bad word to say to anybody, and his friendly demeanour was loved by all who knew him.

Denny’s ability to engage with both friends and strangers was remarkable. On a trip to an away match, Denny’s travelling companions got separated from him and their concern was that he would miss the train. However, when they noticed that the train hadn’t departed at its scheduled time, they eventually found him on the footplate – chatting to the driver. Even walking through the streets of Rome prior to an Ireland international, he would become detached from his group of friends and be later found in the company of another random supporter.

Storytelling was another side of Denny that was legendary – even if the stories had been heard many times before. He loved to ask others if they had played at Ravenhill as often as he had. Given that he wasn’t one of the club’s top players, this question often raised some eyebrows. It was only after he informed people that he had played there at least 10-15 times, and that his ‘playing’ was as a member of the Queens University Pipe Band, that his mischievous nature became clear. Denny loved telling stories like this, and those who were lucky enough to be part of the conversation loved them too, even if it was the second or third time of telling.

Outside of rugby, Denny was an active Rotarian, golfer and sailor. But despite all his activities and interests, he was first and foremost a family man, a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. To Denny’s wife Noelle, daughters Gillian, Barbara and Catherine and their families, we offer our deepest sympathy.

Following a private family committal, a Service of Thanksgiving will take place St Columbanus Parish Church, Ballyholme on Monday 29 June at 2:00pm.

Donations, if desired, to NIPANC (NI Pancreatic Cancer) and/or Marie Curie may be made online at https://sclarkeandson.co.uk/donate.