DEREK Donald Butcher has died at Thorpe Hall Hospice, after a battle against cancer. Mr Butcher, 78, was born in March where he lived until he was nine years old, when he moved to Chatteris. He attended the March Grammar School and excelled at sport. He w

DEREK Donald Butcher has died at Thorpe Hall Hospice, after a battle against cancer.

Mr Butcher, 78, was born in March where he lived until he was nine years old, when he moved to Chatteris. He attended the March Grammar School and excelled at sport. He won the Victor Ludorum trophy and broke many school records and achieved the rare distinction of winning a gold medal.

After leaving school he played football for Chatteris and March and was a member of St Peter's Billiard and Snooker Club and St Peter's Bowling Club. He belonged to Chatteris Amateur Dramatic Society and served on the Parent Teacher Association of both the Cromwell and Neale-Wade Community Colleges.

He was employed as manager for J H Palmer and Son of Ramsey and area manager for Walls. He later worked for Unwins of Ely but took early retirement when he suffered a heart attack.

He leaves his wife of 56 years, Averil, four children, Martin, Ann, Philip and Peter, and nine grandchildren.