Tributes have been paid to a stalwart of the Falmouth Docks Table Tennis Club a true 'Falmothian' born and bred who has died after a long battle with cancer.
The death of club chairman Dennis Williams at 88 was announced in a statement from The Falmouth Docks Club which said it had been left “reeling” by his death.
It said Dennis had fought and beaten the disease three times leading a relatively normal life for the past five years but the cancer returned again earlier this year in a very aggressive form which was sadly too much for him to withstand.
Dennis played for Falmouth Docks A from when the club formed in 1949, gracing the Premier Division of the West Cornwall League with his amazing defensive skills against the numerous top attacking players of his generation.
He went onto represent Cornwall and held the position of Cornwall Senior No.2 for many years. Even in his fifties he was still delivering great results for the club.
Dennis was County Veteran (over 40) Champion on numerous occasions. Sadly the accolade of County Mens Singles Champion eluded him, mainly because on a couple of occasions he had to work to keep the family house going, so he was unable to enter.
But that was not all, in the 1950s he was the top cyclist in Devon and Cornwall winning the Devon and Cornwall 5,000 yards sprint in front of 10,000 spectators at Home Park, Plymouth. He would cycle from Falmouth to Exeter, race and then cycle home again.
He also played South Western League football for Falmouth Town in the early 60s and was offered a schoolboy trial for Arsenal.
As a career he worked for most of his life as a Boilermaker/Plater in the Iron Yard in Falmouth Docks, often repairing the jibs of the giant cranes without batting an eyelid. An accident prematurely ended his working life in 1993.
"He stood up to bullies and hated injustice," said his son Jerry. "A true Falmothian born and bred who leaves a massive gaping hole but also a huge legacy.
But it will be table tennis that he will be best remembered.
The Falmouth Docks Club was formed in 1949 and today remains one of the oldest and most iconic clubs in England. It sits at one of Table Tennis England's most westerly outposts but continues to generate great players both young and old.
Dennis was the last surviving original member of the club and had been involved for a total of 73 years- a record that will probably never be surpassed. He also played in all of the Falmouth Docks' eight Club venues from the humble beginning of the old Toc H building outside of the main dock gates to the amazing current multi table facility at the Dracaena Centre. He has been involved in everything and he enjoyed every minute.
“But above all Dennis will be remembered for his contribution to coaching,” said the statement. “When the club founder, the late Bill Bryant retired around 1970, Dennis took on the role of Club Coach from 1970 to very recently (when his health deteriorated).
“His coaching was unrelenting. Player after player with some ending up in England training camps. Players were taught with discipline, care and great guidance.
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“He had this knack all of his own of how to teach people and was one of the few coaches able to control large halls of participants. The list of players that he has helped is endless and certainly not confined to just Falmouth. It is difficult to imagine Dennis not walking into the club again, not collecting the money and not offering advice or words of wisdom to anyone that crossed his path and needed help.
“Dennis is irreplaceable but the club will come again as everyone involved will want to help continue his lasting legacy and the massive hole he has left behind.
“Rest Easy Dennis- please be with us at training sessions, league matches and all competitions that we compete in and let us know you are there. With love from everyone at Falmouth Docks Table Tennis Club. You will be sorely missed.”
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