It was with great sadness that I learned this evening that George Keith from Aberdeen passed away earlier today. The thoughts of all of us in Scottish Disability Sport are with George and his family and friends during this time of great loss.
George was always a great friend to DSF athletes, players and coaches. His contribution to SDS and Grampian
table tennis over the past 40 years has been immeasurable.
When I arrived in Fife in 1975 I was privileged to be asked by SDS to organise the Scottish Table Tennis Championships at the Fife Sports Institute. That resulted in my first meeting with George as a participant. As a standing player with a physical impairment there was none better and his enthusiasm to involve others led to considerable interest in the game throughout the 80s and 90s in particular.
Our paths crossed many times thereafter and we even had a room next to one another in Hoffstra University in New York when George was selected to represent Team GB at the 1984 Paralympic Games. George was not only a world class player with cerebral palsy but on that team he was an amazing support to a number of the less experienced Scottish members of Team GB. George accepted enthusiastically his role as the team father figure.
I recall with great fondness the rivalry between George and our own Paul Noble in the men’s singles section of the SDS Table Tennis Championships. George had the edge on Paul on most occasions but when Paul teamed up with Lara Ferguson in doubles, the Fife partnership reigned supreme.
George collaborated with Fife coach Wilma Catignani in setting up a Sunday afternoon national table tennis league at the Fife Sports Institute that ran for many years. George was accorded the title of Mr Table Tennis and my goodness he lived up to the nickname and was proud of it.
George was one of those unsung heroes of Scottish sport who unselfishly devoted so much time to the sport he loved. Locally and nationally George achieved so much. George was a highly respected player, organiser and coach. In addition he was good man, highly respected by all those around him. George cared and would always go the extra mile for the individual participant.
George we all owe you so much and we shall never forget all that you contributed to table tennis. We thank you for your friendship, expertise and support. You were an exceptional team and family man George.
I discovered this photo in my archives. Councillor James Kiddie hosted the annual Aberdeen Sport Person of the Year in 2010. George was awarded the Lord Provost’s award.
Funeral arrangements: Tuesday July 9th at 11 00 in the West Chapel, Aberdeen Crematorium
Richard Brickley OBE MBE – Chairman DSF (SCIO) Board of Charity Trustees