Chairman of Ealing Rugby Club Dies

Funeral mass for Damian Bugeja at Ealing Abbey on Thursday

Related Links

Damian Bugeja

Participate

Sign up for our free newsletter

Comment on this story on the

The much loved Chairman of Ealing Rugby Club Damian Bujega has died after a long illness.

The Club's website reads:

Damian had, for some time, been fighting a courageous battle against illness, many times his strength, courage and the love and support of his family and friends saw him win through but on Tuesday Damian left us for a better place passing away peacefully, surrounded by his family.

Damian joined the club in 1976 and featured in the Club's very first Colts team managed by Dave Inwood. Damian was one of a number of young men from St Benedict's who joined the club at that time and who were to go on to form the bedrock of the successful 1st XV of the 1980's which achieved National League status for the first time in the Club's history. Damian continued to play rugby throughout his time at the club captaining a number of sides and more recently turning out for the Evergreens on a regular basis.

One of Damian's proudest achievements at the Club was his involvement in establishing mini rugby.  Along with a band of other club members he brought the patter of 'smaller feet' to Berkeley Fields on a Sunday morning, coaching and managing the first mini rugby teams to don Ealing colours. We all know how these initial steps have developed into today's successful minis and youth sides which now form such an integral part of our Club.

Off the field Damian served on the Club's Executive Committee as Minis & Youth Chairman and twice as Chairman of the Club. Add in his work in creating our first Club web pages and acting as Webmaster, plus his elevation to Vice Presidency and Honorary Life Membership and you get the picture about Damian. He was tireless in his support and love for our Club and achieved so much that we will be forever in his debt.

A Funeral Mass will be held for Damian on Thursday 20th May at 11am at  Ealing Abbey  Charlbury Grove, Ealing, W5 2DY and all are welcome to attend to pay their respects. After the Mass the family alone will attend a cremation service while attendees at the Mass are invited to the Club in Vallis Way where Kate and her family will join us afterwards. 

 

 

 

 

May 17th, 2010

 

Bookmark and Share