Obituaries
Celebrating the lives of the great and the good of the hockey family.
Obituaries
The Hockey Museum seeks to celebrate the lives and achievements of remarkable people who have made a significant contribution to hockey’s development and history. These could be high achievers, pioneers and innovators in the sport, or those who have made a difference through their selfless commitment to grassroots hockey. Discover heartfelt obituaries commemorating the hockey family’s recently deceased in the pages below.
If you would like to contribute an obituary, please get in touch.
Photograph: the stained-glass memorial window dedicated to hockey pioneer Constance Applebee in the St John the Baptist Church in Burley, England.
Latest Obituaries
Len Smith, 1934–2026
3 March 1934 – 25 February 2026 Len Smith, founder of Len Smith’s Sportswear Ltd and a renowned...
Vonnie Gros, 1935–2026
1935 – 28 February 2026 USA Field Hockey is mourning the loss of hockey great Vonnie Gros...
John Cadman, 1934–2026
27 March 1934 – 4 March 2026 John Frank Cadman, one of the most influential and pioneering figures...
Monica Pickersgill, 1933–2026
29 May 1933 – 28 February 2026 The Hockey Museum is saddened to report the death of Monica (Mon)...
Robert McBlane, 1945–2026
The below obituary was originally published by Beeston Hockey Club on Facebook, 23 February 2026....
Joyce Cole, 1926-2026
09.08.1926 – 28.01.2026 It is with sadness that we learned of the passing of Joyce Cole at the end...
David Collier, 1955–2026
22 April 1955 – 13 January 2026 David Gordon Collier OBE, one of the most influential and...
Biddy Burgum, 1927–2025
14.08.1927–01.12.2025 The Hockey Museum is saddened to report the death of Biddy Burgum, who at 98...
Imran Sherwani, 1961–2025
09.04.1962–28.11.2025 Imran Ahmed Khan Sherwani, one of the most iconic figures in the history of...
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