Rainey Rugby Club pays tribute to club stalwart who was 'a key driver in all of our biggest milestones'

Mr Parke passed away in Antrim Area Hospital on February 4, and a service to celebrate his life will be held in Antrim & Newtownabbey Crematorium on Thursday.

In a social media post, the club said: "Graffin joined Rainey RFC in 1969 when he initially came to work in Draperstown and from that point on, he was an ever present within our club and we were all the better for it.

"He served as President of the club on several occasions, chairman, referees assistant (unelected!) and was an ever present on our club committee, there wasn’t a job in our club that Graffin couldn’t or didn’t do.

"For generations of players and members, Graffin was always there. A familiar face on match days, a welcoming presence around the club, someone who always had time for a word, a story (of which there plenty) or most importantly, a quiet piece of advice.

"He had a way of making people feel like they were part of Rainey, whether they were pulling on a jersey for the first time or had been around the place for decades. We wouldn’t be where we are today as a club, if it wasn’t for Graffin.

"He was a key driver in all of our biggest milestones over the years; first of all in our move from the infamous green portacabin clubhouse we had in Billy Hatrick’s field on the Tobermore Road to our clubhouse on Garden Street and then was instrumental in our move to our current home at Hatrick Park in the mid 1990s.

"He remained a driving force behind our current ongoing renovations and refurbishment to our clubhouse now and he will be sorely missed by all of his many friends at Hatrick Park.

"Graffin’s service to the game was immense and it was fitting that he went on to serve as President of the Ulster Branch of the IRFU in 2016/17. We were all tremendously proud of him as he became the first ever Rainey member to hold that prestigious office. He carried that honour with humility and pride and was a fantastic ambassador for Ulster and Rainey Rugby during his year in office. He was ably supported during this year (and always) by his wife Lexi.

"Graffin will be missed more than words can say. The conversations, the presence, the sense that Rainey was always in safe hands when he was around, particularly when he was manning the BBQ at Moyola Golf Club during our annual golf classic, these are the things that will stay with us. His legacy lives on in the club he loved and in the many people whose lives he touched through rugby and friendship."

Mr Parke is survived by his wife Lexi, sons Andrew, Gareth and Barry, daughters in law, grandchildren and wide circle of friends.

Donations in lieu of flowers, if desired, for Chest, Heart and Stroke payable to Garvin’s Funeral Service (Donation’s A/c).