John Creek was a huge influence on squash in Sevenoaks and we sadly have to share the news he has passed away. We reproduce the tribute from his daughter below.
RIP John.
My dad was a devotee of the squash club and I know he would want me to share this news with you all (though he would suggest 2 sentences, without sentiment was ample!) He's not here to stop me so I'll say what I feel.
Some of my earliest memories of spending time with my dad involve sitting on the balcony of the squash club with my little brother and watching a lot of sweaty people hitting the ball noisily and occasionally swearing before realising there were children present. We'd always be allowed dry roast peanuts and juice from the golf bar afterwards, providing we were well behaved and had the right shoes on. I became really fond of the place eventually as it always made me feel close to dad.
I could always see how much my dad loved competing and even more, winning - though I also think he made a gracious(ish) loser (especially when losing became the norm.) I know how much of his identity was bound up in the club and the game and how difficult it was for him to eventually put down his racquet and responsibilities once the cancer progressed too far.
I saw his commitment to you all off the court as well. We used to joke that the squash club was his second career or his other wife when he was furtively checking squash emails while on holiday.
My husband Matt also made the mistake of humouring dad (after he was diagnosed) by coming along to an 'open to all' night at the club for a friendly game with the poor old chap, only to run himself ragged while dad stood still and hit the ball into tricksy corners and at awkward angles. Eventually Dad told Matt to 'stop playing the warm up rally and actually start trying to beat me.' Cancer never took away his wry sense of humour.
He'd long since stopped being able to horrify his family by physically climbing up ladders and fixing ceilings for the club but I know he was still checking the league tables and keeping up to date with how you were all doing. I think he was even trying to help with electric meter reading dramas up until 2 weeks ago. When my dad was committed to something, he always stayed that way.
It seems truly ironic to me that someone so fit and vital could have died from lung cancer. The doctor did say that if he hadn't been so fit he would never have been able to live as long as he did at Stage 4, so we'll always be grateful to his time on the court for that.
He died peacefully at home with family and it was quick at the end. He never wanted to have to go into a hospice so we are grateful he got to go on his terms and with dignity.
Thank you to the club for being such a huge part of dad's life and legacy. I'd love to come and sit on that balcony again soon.