Tweet
Its with great sadness that I report the passing of Tom McClelland, avid tournament player (expert at his peak), CFC life member, and long time member of the KW Chess Club in Kitchener. Tom was a club champion in the early years, somewhere in the late 90's and took his tournament chess very seriously.
Tom, in his seventieth year, passed away at the board at the KW chess club weekly meeting on Tuesday night which in some way I would call fitting as the club was the largest part of his life. I knew Tom for the best part of thirty years and he was totally committed to the club and lending a helping hand in keeping it functioning. He helped run the youth club for twenty years and was its most committed helper. I always got credit for the most successful students but Tom was always guiding them from week to week and nurturing them with his great knowledge of the little things and basics of tournament play. Tom was always there for me with advice or lending a hand or quietly adding his opinion when it mattered. He was a regular at the Kitchener Main Library and the Waterloo Main Library and always kept me informed of new books and new chess articles as well as excitedly pointing out new facts gleaned from chess research or "finds" in grandmaster games or even a rare used chess book that he found in his wanderings through the used book stores of Kitchener Waterloo and Toronto.
Mostly though I would like to speak to Tom's dedication to the KW chess club. He was always there! and helping, lending a hand on just about any need or project. You could count on Tom, always. Many counted on Tom's quiet, thoughtful presence and his passing for many in the club will feel like the end of an era. There will be a big hole that will not be easy to fill. Rest in peace Tom, my old friend. I will sorely miss you.
Tom, in his seventieth year, passed away at the board at the KW chess club weekly meeting on Tuesday night which in some way I would call fitting as the club was the largest part of his life. I knew Tom for the best part of thirty years and he was totally committed to the club and lending a helping hand in keeping it functioning. He helped run the youth club for twenty years and was its most committed helper. I always got credit for the most successful students but Tom was always guiding them from week to week and nurturing them with his great knowledge of the little things and basics of tournament play. Tom was always there for me with advice or lending a hand or quietly adding his opinion when it mattered. He was a regular at the Kitchener Main Library and the Waterloo Main Library and always kept me informed of new books and new chess articles as well as excitedly pointing out new facts gleaned from chess research or "finds" in grandmaster games or even a rare used chess book that he found in his wanderings through the used book stores of Kitchener Waterloo and Toronto.
Mostly though I would like to speak to Tom's dedication to the KW chess club. He was always there! and helping, lending a hand on just about any need or project. You could count on Tom, always. Many counted on Tom's quiet, thoughtful presence and his passing for many in the club will feel like the end of an era. There will be a big hole that will not be easy to fill. Rest in peace Tom, my old friend. I will sorely miss you.
Comment