Tributes flood in for Torquay Athletic hero John Lowe following his peaceful passing in Australia

Tributes have been paid to a Torquay Athletic rugby ‘legend’ who has died at his home in Western Australia.

John Lowe, remembered by all who knew him as a ‘formidable presence on the rugby pitch and a generous spirit in life off’ passed away peacefully just after Christmas at the age of 75. 

His death came as a big surprise and shock back in the Bay. Just three days before he died, close friend Peter Griffiths had made his annual Christmas Day telephone call and all was well.

John’s early life changed dramatically when his family moved from Liverpool to Torquay in around 1964. At the age of 14, he attended what was then Audley Park School, where he first met Peter. This meeting sparked a friendship that would last a lifetime.

After leaving school John trained as a chef at South Devon College, a career choice that would give him the portable skills to work anywhere in the world.  

It was at college where he met Dinah, who would become his wife and partner in adventure. Dinah’s parents were hoteliers who owned the Burley Court Hotel in Wheatridge Lane in Torquay.

The couple’s ambition led them first to London, then to an incredible opportunity in Bermuda. Ultimately, their journey ended in Western Australia, where they established a life together and raised their two daughters in a beautiful home in deep woodland close to a 50-mile sandy beach on the Indian Ocean in the south of Perth. 

Rugby was a central pillar of John’s life. At Audley Park, under the respected coaching of senior sports master Jim Grey and a young Mike Gill, who was, at that time, playing in the Tics’ first XV, Peter and John fell in love with the game, playing not only at school but also in the club’s junior section at the weekends. 

John was a big, strong lad, well over 6ft and approaching 17 stone. He was extremely mobile for his size and his versatility allowed him to play prop, second row or number eight. 

Pete was also a very useful prop. Torquay at that time had a very strong group of young players and in 1969, Torquay Colts had a wonderful season in which they won all their matches and the Devon County Colts Cup. 

Both John and Peter were prominent members of that cup-winning team, which included, front row: Peter Griffiths, Colin Rylance (current president of TARFC), and Ari Assaf, second row: Ian Lakey and Alan Vooght, back row: Rich Allen, John Lowe and Ian White, half backs: the Morgan brothers John and Peter, centres: Mel Newton and Tony Walker, wings: Stuart Bowers and Reg Waldron, with Kevin Loosemore at full back. 

Nearly everyone in that Colts team went on to play first team rugby. The well respected Peter Freeman, a retired Tics’ second row, was their coach and inspiration!

TARFC’s much respected and loved president in those days was Major Gordon Edmonds, who owned the prestigious Toorak Hotel In Torquay. 

John moved on to become chef at the hotel and Gordon ensured that his kitchen rosters allowed John to train and play for the Tics.  

At a young age John had already established a reputation of being a very competitive and tough second row/prop featuring regularly in Torquay’s first team. 

Former Tics’ captain Barney Bettesworth recalls John’s priceless reaction before a match in 1969 when the 18-year-old lock  met his new 38-year-old second-row partner for the game.  Jim Bell had been drafted in at short notice for his debut game for the Tics against Devonport Services. 

Jim was a mature, experienced second row forward in the Zambian police force on holiday from Lusaka visiting family in Torquay. When introduced, John was stunned and his reply was typical of his Liverpudlian humour.  

“I didn’t know I was going to have to pack down with my father!” 

The Lowe’s family commitment to the club extended beyond the field of play. His father was a keen supporter and his mother, Doll, a great character, became a stalwart of the volunteer ladies’ kitchen rota, a testament to the community spirit that ran through the club in those days. 

In Australia, John’s culinary skills were put to good use, both professionally and as a generous host to visiting friends. 

In 2005 Barney and Liz Bettesworth and Malcolm and Nicky Baker made a special trip to watch the famous Hong Kong rugby 7s competition and to meet up with ex-Torquay fullback Mike Allen, who was living and working there.

After a great time, they travelled on to stay with John and Dinah in their lovely home near the small town of Myalup in Western Australia, some 3,750 miles further south from Hong Kong. John and Dinah’s hospitality was very generous and John’s cooking was excellent. 

Because of the ever present fire risk living in the woods, John was an auxiliary fireman.  One of the highlights of the visit was a trip to nearby Bunbury Races with the local fire crew and their fire engine. 

John thought it would make a good photo if Malcolm and Barney dressed up in the firemen’s uniform and posed in front of the fire truck. 

They did, but to their consternation, they soon discovered they had been set up when the full force of the firehoses were turned on them… rather a wet ending to an entertaining evening! 

John loved life in Australia, a country where his wife and two daughters have remained. He held various jobs in catering and education and worked with a subsidiary organisation of the Western Australia Police Force called the Police Citizens’ Youth Club (or PCYC) with young offenders, always seeking to help others. 

The PCYC owned a large rural property outside of Harvey, a small town 87 miles south of Perth. 

Kids from all backgrounds could go for summer camps or weekends, and John worked there as the manager for about 15 years. 

Some groups would be school kids, others from police families where a parent may have passed away too soon, and others who may have been just troublesome youngsters. They would sleep in dormitories, engage in outdoor pursuits like hiking, boating, horse riding providing opportunities and experiences otherwise unavailable to them.

In the eulogy to her father, John’s daughter, Summers, gave an insight into his work at the camp and it was clear that apart from being the manager, cook (of course), and general organiser, he was a mentor and role model for many of the young people. 

Many of them were sadly lacking this type of positive influence in their regular lives. Summer read testimonials from people, who had written to the family, expressing their condolences and also explaining what a positive impact John had had on their upbringing.

John had been unwell for quite a while but did not want any fuss or anyone to know how serious his illness was. 

Dinah has been strong and positive, receiving great support from her neighbours, friends and family.

A Tics spokesman said: “John Lowe was a big man in stature, but possessed an even bigger heart. He was great company, good-humoured, and lived life on his own terms. He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends around the world. May he rest in peace!”