Obituary

[tommyc]

Sad news yesterday of the passing of Liam Harkins Donegal [the most travelled man in draughts]........funeral expected on Monday. RIP.

[Bernard Coll]

I am sorry to hear of Liam's passing, in my eyes Liam was a true gentleman. He did indeed frequently travel throughout the UK and Ireland supporting the game he fervently loved. Liam also knew before he left his native Donegal to attend tourneys as far flung as the Orkney Isles in the extreme north of Scotland, to the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England, and to the southern extremities of Ireland that he had no chance of ever securing a prize in even the lowest divisions. BUT; Liam still faithfully attended these tournaments such was his love for the game. His rare absence as a competitor at any event was immediately noticed. Liam once remarked to me that he had never won any draughts trophies, but he knew that he had many draughts playing friends. Rest in peace Liam.

[Mac Banks]

It is players like Liam that is important to the game of checkers. I never went to a tourney because I was going to win money or a trophey. I went to meet the checker friends that I had made over the years. For 50 years or so I had this policy," I would rather lose a checker game than a checker friend". Rest in piece Liam.

[kiwinurse]

My feelings exactly Mac,my sympathies to Liams family,regards Jan

[Alex_Moiseyev]

I didn't know Liam personally, but checkers is part of my family and missing any member of this family is painful for me. Deep sympathy to everyone who lived with Liam and being his friends.

Respectfully,

Alex Moiseyev

[tommyc]

Thanks guys , yes Liam was a gentleman ,very quiet mannered and a great traveller as Bernard says.I was amazed where id find him sometimes and he done it all on the "bus pass" hed travel anywhere.Unfortunately my car broke down yest so it looks like i wont make his funeral .Maybe someone will pick me up,ill feel guilty if i dont get there.Thanks again for all yu kind thoughts.Liam was particulary chuffed to be in the same picture as you Alex in Buncrana in 2007.

[john reade]

He was short of money at Bristol in May so I bought him lunch one day.

Sorry we won't be seeing him again.

[Bernard Coll]

Liam's draughts ventures remind me of another Irish gentleman of many years ago. He was Arthur Casey from Cullybackey in County Antrim, who cycled throughout the UK and Ireland to attend draughts tournaments. There's dedication for you.

[Danny_Alvarez]

my condolences to anyone who knew Liam and is missing him.

[Lindus Edwards]

I knew Liam quite well, having met him at a number of tournaments over the years, and always found him a very nice gentleman. I was sad to hear of his passing and wish to convey my deepest sympathy to his family. He will be greatly missed at the tournaments.

[JR Smith]

Bill McClintock died October 6, 2012

Here is the link to his Obiturary

http://www.forbisanddick.com/obituary-d ... hp?id=3091

[Patrick Parker]

always miss our checker friends

if the world was all checker players we would get along and be at war constantly