Thank You Eric
On the night of Tuesday 24th February, we learnt the sad news that Eric Jarvis, a devoted Farsley Rehoboth volunteer, had passed away at his home, close to AW Hainsworth’s mill after a recently diagnosed illness. Eric was born on 26th November 1939.
Eric started volunteering at Farsley Rehoboth of 4th June 2024 and undertook 136 volunteer sessions in the following 18 months, with his last visit to the Rehoboth on 16th January this year.
Eric redefined the term “safe pair of hands” and was for us, the right man at the right time.
We knew a fair bit about his background as a footballer and manager, right up to his managerial and coaching skills in walking football, but have learnt much more in the last few days. His full story was told by friends and colleagues in many tributes on social media. His was a story stretching back to playing football as a young boy, he was still playing walking football at 86 years of age. His management experience included Guiseley AFC and Bridlington Town AFC.
John Boyd who was the Radio Leeds & LUFC commentator for many years and also Farsley Celtic Manager wrote:
“Without the slightest doubt my favourite player over a period of around 25 years is Eric Jarvis. Like all very good players Eric always had loads of time on the ball and his distribution was brilliant. Not only that he is a great bloke as well, and when he recruited me to work with him at Guiseley, I had my happiest time ever in local football.
P.S. I forgot to say I once played in a Charity match with Clarkey, Billy Bremner and Frank Worthington but I still like Eric the best!”
For us at the Rehoboth, Eric was the right man at the right time, taking on two crucial areas of work, which drew on his managerial expertise.
In particular he played a major role in the operational managerial of corporate placements, a challenge when managing people who may only work once in the Rehoboth.
Also taking the lead role with our young volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Fridays, young people from all around the world.
Please look at the video below, which shows Eric being serenaded by his Friday charges on his 84th birthday.
Above all Eric was a gentleman who truly motivated his work colleagues and will be missed by Tracy and his family as well as the Rehoboth volunteers.
A quote from a year or so ago, always comes to mind: “all who work in the Rehoboth write their own part of its history”, this is true of Eric, a man with a heart of gold.
We are discussing how we can ensure he is remembered at the Rehoboth as our reclamation of this wonder and historic community asset enters another Spring.
His funeral was on Friday 20th March at 3.15 pm at Rawdon Crematorium, followed by his Wake at FC Farsley Sports Club, Throstle Nest, Newlands, Farsley.
As a mark of our respect and affection for Eric, we cancelled our volunteer session at the Rehoboth on the day of his funeral.
To view this slideshow, please use the left and right arrows below:
