Champion Thanet cyclist Morris Crow has died aged 82.
Morris, the youngest of four children, was born on May 3, 1935.
He was a keen cricketer – fast bowler – playing for Kent Colts, which was just below county standard. He was also a keen table tennis player.
Morris’s main passion was cycling. He joined the Thanet Road Cycling Club as a junior in the early 1950s and remained a member until illness forced his retirement six years ago.
He won many races, both for the Thanet Road Club and also the Army Cycling Union, during his National Service in the mid 1950s as a Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineer.
While racing for the Army Cycling Union Morris won the Military team pursuit, riding with the legendary Ray Booty. He won numerous trophies for the Thanet Road Club, including junior, senior and veteran awards.
In 1953 Morris was the Thanet Road Club Junior Cycling Champion.
He still holds many of the club place to place records.
Morris was part of the Thanet team holding the current Thanet RC 30-mile time trial team record, with Brett Dennis and Ernie Abdella. This record is yet to be beaten.
Morris, who had two brothers who fought in the World War Two Normandy campaign, lived in Ramsgate in the home his parents bought for £500 in 1928.
In the 50s he was married to Freda, nee Foat, whose dad and brother owned the greengrocers in Eaton Road, Margate. Her father was also an alderman for Margate Borough Council.
Although the couple were divorced many years ago they remained good friends. Freda now lives in Westgate.
Son Derek Crow-Brown, a district councillor for Thanet villages, said: “Morris was a kind, caring and compassionate man who loved cycling.
“A true cyclist in every sense, he would ride home to Thanet on weekend leave from Blandford in Dorset, a distance of 200 miles.
“Following his National Service, he worked for many years as a sign writer for the East Kent Bus company in Canterbury.
“As a cyclist, he was an inspiration to all members, especially those new to the sport. Morris was also a keen meteorologist, whose knowledge of the weather was second to none.”
Morris, father to sons Derek and Stephen, died on Christmas Eve.
