Donald Cornelius has Died

[<<] [>>] by Debbie Lines
10th November 2014 (CqE Official News)

Donald Cornelius, a well known croquet player and father of Mac-player Debbie Lines, has died. He had been ill for the past year with heart conditions but was also recently diagnosed with lung cancer, and he died peacefully at home in his sleep in front of the TV and in no pain.

Donald took up croquet in 1972 on a family holiday to Cromer in Norfolk, where an American-like version of the game was played. He and his family played every year thereafter, until in 1985 he, his daughter and son all entered the Association Croquet week at Hunstanton. Armed with the laws and no idea that breaks existed, they had a fabulous time thanks to the warm welcome we received from the club and other players.

Now interested in AC, Donald was one of the founding members of Newport Croquet Club in the late 1980's. He was very involved with croquet in East Anglia and was Chairman of the Federation from 1990 to 1996.

Moving to near Hunstanton in 2004, he continued to enjoy croquet until about three years ago. His lowest handicap was 2.5 and he was immensely pleased to play for Kent in the Inter Counties a few times, and also to represent England CA against Switzerland in 1996 and 1997.

Donald had a long career in the city of London as a stockbroker, finishing his career as a partner with James Capel. He was a founder member of ACTA (Association of Chartists and Technical Analysts - now STA (Society of Technical Analysts), and became a Freeman of the City of London.

The funeral will be on Thursday 13th November at 2:30 pm at Mintlyn Crematorium, Gayton Rd, King's Lynn, PE32 1HB, followed by a reception nearby. No flowers, please, but donations, if wished, made payable to "The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House", may be given to the Funeral Directors at the Crematorium, or sent to them at R H Fayers & Son, 42/43 Railway Road, King's Lynn PE30 1NF.

He will be much missed by all his family and friends.