There’s scant need to refer to Peter O’Connor’s place in Widnes RUFC history. He features in the final scenes of both the 50th and 60th anniversary videos on the website and YouTube.

In the first, Nick Buckton reminisces about his introduction to this locality and rugby clubs, courtesy of a tour organised by Peter from St Mary’s College near Twickenham where they were training to be teachers. Nick went on became an influential sports master at St Peter & Paul’s school in Widnes.

It was on St Peter & Paul’s feast day, 29th June, that we learned of Peter’s untimely death aged 66. Ironically, this was the evening of the Wids AGM. If all had gone to plan, Peter would have assumed the role of 2021/22 President at that meeting two years ago. His sudden illness and the pandemic intervened; he remains in the records as President Elect for the lockdown “season that never was”.

He can be seen in buoyant mood in the soundtrack finale of 2019’s celebratory “Gone with the Wids” flanked by good friends Brian Kenny and Billy Regan in his preferred position at the end of the bar, where six months earlier, he had stated his preferred position on the club Presidential roster. This was in September 2018 as Ged Snee made his inaugural post-match speech.

Back in his customary role as Chairman, Ged’s message yesterday was “We all had some fun times with Peter – a great man. Our thoughts are with his lovely family.

Much of that fun can be traced by scrolling through photo albums on the website, dating back to his early days playing for the Colts in the 70s, touring with the Mad Wasps in the 80s, taking on the challenge of relaunching the Colts in the late 90s and joining the 1st XV coaching team in the 2000s. Interspersed with his game involvement, he was active as Social Chairman in 1984/85 and 85/86.

One of his lasting contributions to Heath Rd was the introduction of the now traditional Colts-Vets challenge match. Peter being Peter, he went one step further by taking that contest to York in 2000. Suffice to say that the Colts are still going strong and have toured separately ever since.

Peter attended St Patrick's junior and Fisher More secondary school before transferring to St Edward's Sixth Form and on to the aforementioned St Mary's College.
In his teaching career, he was happy to say that he introduced the children of West Derby to rugby, skiing and the importance of silent study on Monday mornings after a Wids Lancashire Cup game. One of his pupils, Martin Jones went on to become a well-known local player, coach and RFU Development Officer, bringing the William Webb Ellis World Cup trophy to Heath Road in 2004. He is among many who have expressed their regrets and sympathy.

It would be a mistake to present too dry and worthy a picture of Peter. At leisure, he was a bar-room philosopher and ideas man, happy to dispense advice on matters ranging from self-taught computer skills to the art of al fresco doner kebab consumption. He also came up with the idea of the Christmas pantomime. That production lasted only three memorable years but managed to get reported in Rugby World at a time when the club was in some need of positive publicity.

Famously, Peter O’Connor was fond of international travel and there were many long-distance sightings of him during school holidays. It was on a Sunday morning in Dublin on the 1999 U16s tour (having seen Brian O’Driscoll make his debut for Ireland the day before) that Peter, alongside Ste Field, revealed his intention of turning them into Colts. The two of them earned the accolade of clubmen of the year in 2000 and the gratitude of the Wids ever since.

Peter O’Connor’s presence and personality will be missed but much of his input looks to be permanent. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Peter's funeral will take place at the church where he married Christine and was father of the bride for daughter Joanne's wedding to Sean. His grandchildren are Penelope and Rory.

The service will commence at 2pm on Wednesday 2nd August at St Mary's, West Bank and continue at Widnes Crematorium before friends and family gather at our Heath Road clubhouse to celebrate Peter's life.

Christine has suggested that past and present members wear club blazer and tie as a tribute to Peter.

Family flowers only, please.