A FORMER secretary of Abingdon Rowing Club, Bill Druce, has died at the age of 76.

Mr Druce, from East St Helen Street, moved to Abingdon 20 years ago from Maidenhead after retiring as a director with Honeywell, the international controls technology company at Bracknell.

He joined Abingdon Rowing Club and the following year became secretary. One of the club's training boats carries his name.

Mr Druce, who was an electrical engineer, was said to be a "careful and meticulous" member of the club team who ran the rafts at the annual regatta.

Former president David Knowles said: "Bill was never ruffled and ensured that a race happened every three minutes. The nicest thing about Bill was his pleasant, gentle and cheerful character."

Mr Druce was born at Little Marlow. He first became involved in rowing as a teenager at Maidenhead Rowing Club and later during his national service at Chester and Reading before returning to Maidenhead. He rowed for MRC at two consecutive Henley Regattas.

Mr Knowles said: "For many years Bill coached at Abingdon. He was patient and dependable. A legion of novices had their introduction to the sport at Bill's hands. It is fitting that one of our training boats carries his name."

Mr Druce was also a keen cyclist and up until a few months ago was cycling up to 20 miles a day. He kept a diary of his travels round the country roads of Oxfordshire.

A close friend and neighbour, David Hardy, said: "Bill was a tremendous optimist who always talked about how wonderful life was and how lucky we were to be alive and living in Abingdon. Bill had a wonderful sense of humour and enjoyed life. He was even cracking jokes with the ambulance crew when they took him to hospital."

Mr Druce, who had beaten cancer, died in the John Radcliffe Hospital from a heart problem.

His funeral was held at Oxford Crematorium on Thursday, May 18, at which members of Abingdon Rowing Club acted as pallbearers.

He is survived by his son, Michael, who lives near Banbury. His wife, Ingrid, died five years ago.