| Ryedale Table Tennis League |
Howard Wass was a family man, Christian, farmer, local preacher, campaigner for the needy, environmentalist and sportsman amongst many other things. He played table tennis for many years in the Ryedale League and will be fondly remembered by everyone who was fortunate to get to know him.
This page is a tribute to Howard, who died in October 2007, with contributions from several Ryedale table tennis players. If you would like to add your own words to it, please contact us.
I
didn’t know Howard intimately, but I have both beaten and lost to him at
Table Tennis and he was the same smiling person on all occasions.
Sincerity
and honesty are the words that come to mind when thinking of Howard.
He seemed to epitomise the organic farming movement with his ruddy
cheeks, easy smile and acceptance that life means hard work so you might
as well get on and enjoy it.
It
was typical of him that in his shop he would sell only what he grew.
It would have been easy to have increased turnover by offering a
wider range of bought in produce, as so many do, but that was not his way.
So I can add another descriptive noun – authenticity.
Howard was in all things authentic.
This
sudden, unexpected tragedy must have been a great shock for his family,
and I am sure that everyone in the League will join me in sending them
support through thought at this sad time.
We
will of course, be sending condolences to the family on behalf of the
League and its members.
We will all miss the presence of a thoroughly good guy.
John Gascoyne
The shock and sadness caused by the loss of this lovely man is difficult to overestimate. Those who knew Howard will remember him as an exceptional person in every way; he was highly regarded by everyone who met him and was that rarest of things, a genuine pillar of the community where he grew up, lived and worked at Fadmoor.
He really cared about others and that's why we really cared about him.
Andy Seed
You always knew where you were with Howard.
He was an exceptional man and an exceptional farmer.
A completely genuine person.
Philip Trevelyan, Chet Butler, John Freeman
