David Fortune Has Passed Away
David Fortune sadly passed away on Sunday, 20 April, following complications after surgery.
It is with great sadness that the T&RA announces the passing of David Fortune on Sunday 20th April in St. Bart's Hospital, London, following heart surgery.
David played Real Tennis and squash at Seacourt in the 1970s and early 1980s before moving away from Hayling Island. He joined Petworth in 1982 where he continued to play Real Tennis and was very much involved in Petworth activities including designing and fitting out their new clubroom, kitchen and changing rooms.
David had been a member of Petworth HTC since 1982, a Committee Member/Director since 2014 and (in recognition of his work on the court extension) an Hon Life Member. He was a generous donor to the fund for the project. He was the Board Member responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the court itself, a duty he carried out with great energy and care. His professional engineering skills came into their own when the extension project finally became a reality. David was largely to thank for the design and fitting out of the clubroom, kitchen and changing rooms.
David was a very keen player who played in many club matches, competitions and tournaments. He ran the Insomniacs (doubles every Sunday morning). He was also a keen Coaster, a regular Brigand, a T&RA Benefactor, a Dedanist, and a benefactor to numerous other clubs. As well as playing, David was a skilled organiser of matches, tournaments and events. He was chosen as the member to mark for Prince Edward’s Royal Tennis Challenge visit to Petworth in 2018.
David was a keen sailor with Caroline, and they took much pleasure in cruising to France in recent years. He and Caroline were superb cooks (curries a speciality), and their sophisticated and inventive meals will long be remembered by Petworth members and many others.
Since 2016, David has enjoyed playing Rackets on a Thursday evening back at Seacourt and socialising afterwards in the bar. His enthusiasm and genial company will be greatly missed not only by his fellow Rackets players but also by everybody who knew him. He delighted in regaling his maritime adventures to his friends and was well-informed in numerous (and diverse) issues. David will be missed by our communities.
The T&RA sends its deepest sympathies to Caroline and his sons, William and Luke.
