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The Life of Syd Pow
20th November 1928 - 11th September 2006
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"Born in Plymouth, and educated at Chester Park Primary School, Fishponds and Bristol Technical Engineering College, Boot Lane, Bedminster, Syd joined Westbury Harriers immediately after the way in 1945. He was a scoring member of their team that won the inaugural national junior cross-country championships at Sheffield in 1948, and was a regular member of winning senior championship teams both on road and over the country. As the club's oldest active member, he and his family emigrated to the USA in September 1967 to join Rank Xerox as an electrical engineer. They sponsored his voyage on the final Queen Elizabeth Atlantic crossing from Southampton to New York, and was once summoned to the White House to investigate the cause of a fire in one of their machines! Syd made regular trips home to attend anniversary events, and as his health deteriorated he 'wintered' in Hawii, and was given an orchid garland farewell by the Nike group in April. Westbury Harriers held a Syd Pow tribute barbecue on 17th July, which was both photographed and video recorded for him to see at home with his family." Despite suffering sever pain from terminal pancreatic cancer, this very brave and loyal vice-president was jogging, cycling and exercising to the very end. Eventually his ashes will be scattered at Rochester Running Club (USA), Hawii, and at Blaise Castle. His widow, Gloria, plans to donate a perpetual trophy to Westbury Harriers in his memory." Peter Griffin, Chairman, Westbury Harriers |
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Rather than hide away, when Syd heard that he had terminal cancer he decided to do what he loved best - running - until the very end. You can read about his story in the article 'running to the finish' on this link: http://www.midweek.com/content/columns/onthemove_article/running_to_the_finish/
Below are some photos from the tribute barbecue held at Blaise Castle on 17th July. These photos are provided courtesy of John Canning.
David Pow paying tribute to his brother |
David Palmer, Peter Griffin, John Hutton and friend, Shirley Venn/Collins, Pam Blake/Sheppard, Keith Somers, George Blackburn, Jim Staynings,
Roy Turner, John Canning, Bryan Popel |
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John Canning, George Blackburn, Dave Palmer |
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George Blackburn, John Weekes, Mike Parks, Maurice Cowman, Jim Murphy |
Russ Jener, Peter Griffin, Trevor Spokes, Roy Turner |
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Pat Gallagher, Russ Jenner, Roy Turner |
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Peter Griffin, Trevor Spokes, Rod Young |
Bryan Popel, Maurice Cowman, George Blackburn, Peter Griffin |
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Russ Jenner, John Hutton, John Cousins, Ray Collins (husband of Shirley Venn) |
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Orchid Garland Farewell, Nike Group, Hawii
