It is with much sadness that I find myself writing about Bernard O’Connor, following his sudden death, aged 69 at home on Easter Saturday from a heart attack. It is small consolation to his wife Angela, his family and to the rest of us, that he was so active for all of his life, still so committed to his interests and making plans for the future.

Back in late January, when Bernard mischievously contrived for John Bull and myself to deliver BCU Award of Merit citations that we had written for each other (but with neither of us knowing we ourselves were being honoured), I had felt that it should have been Bernard receiving the plaudit, not me. At the time I made a mental note to remedy this in the near future and "get him back" for all he has done for canoesport. Little did I know that so soon I would be writing Bernard’s obituary, a task I undertake with a heavy heart, a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. He was a good friend to me and many, many others and is sorely missed. He was involved in so many activities, both professionally and recreationally, that it will likely take time to realise just how much Bernard did for the outdoor activities that he loved, especially canoeing and sailing, in various organisations including Scouts, Cadets, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Leicester Outdoor Pursuit Centre and many others. His contribution was often that of the unsung organiser in the background, taking time and effort, often at a cost to family and loved ones.

I first got to know Bernard through canoe-sailing in the early years of the Open Canoe Sailing Group. At that stage, before he had retired, Bernard could only get to a few of our events each year, when he could find time from his professional duties with the Army Cadets. But his commitment to canoe sailing was clear and he proved to be keen and capable in both racing and cruising. He was amongst the party of six that visited Maine for the 1995 American Canoe Association Annual Open Canoe Sailing Regatta, where he acquitted himself well - finishing 15^th in a field of 27, using a borrowed boat and rig. The following year, when we hosted a party of ACA canoe-sailors for an international regatta on Windermere, Bernard was keen to reciprocate the hospitality shown to us in the USA and took a week off work to help organise the event and equipment we provided for our visitors.

Once Bernard retired he had time to get to many more OCSG events. At his funeral we learned that canoe-sailing was the outdoor activity he had felt that he pursued purely for himself, for his own fun and enjoyment. But it is no surprise to those of us fortunate and privileged to have known Bernard, that he became immersed in the activities of the OCSG, offering impromptu advice, formal coaching sessions, workshops at canoeing conferences, organising the stand at the Canoe Exhibition and eventually agreeing to take on the role of Chairman, a post that he still held.

On the weekend after Bernard’s death our first meet of the year was planned and, rather than cancelling it, we felt that we wanted to meet other group members and remember Bernard, both for what he did for us all and for the type of person and friend he was to us. We gathered together early on the Saturday evening and paid tribute to Bernard; people quietly recounting particular times they had spent with Bernard. A consistent theme emerged: that he always had time to help, that he was generous, kind and enthusiastic about everything he was involved in. We then raised a glass and drank to his rich life and to all he did for others.

On a personal note, I miss him for being such a good friend, for sharing a bottle of red over a good chat and a laugh. He and I were alike in many ways, despite twenty or so year’s age difference. We had similar interests and motivations and were always at ease in each other’s company. I’m glad I was with Bernard at the Canoe Exhibition only a week before he died. We were on the OCSG stand and his commitment and enthusiasm were as strong as ever, eagerly making plans for forthcoming events.

Farewell and fair winds, Bernard.

Keith Morris – OCSG Commodore