Roy and behind him. the town of his birth Douglas, Isle of Man.

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Funeral Details

  ROY KISSACK 

It was with much sadness that we announced the death of Roy at age 75 in 2009.
For details of the funeral, please see here

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On 9th May 2010 we had the pleasure of presenting the "Roy Kissack Memorial Shield" to Frank Gorman for his valuable contribution in the support of British Athletics. Frank had been nominated and chosen, by Derby Athletics Club, as the athletics official worthy to receive the award for 2009.  It is hoped that the shield will be presented annually to an athletics official so as to encourage this important element of service to British athletes. 

Lynda, Frank (1st recipient of the 'Roy Kissack Shield'),  Allan and Rita

Roy had been an athletic official for many years. In his retirement he was particularly active in travelling the country to various meetings, both local events and international, adult and youth, able bodied and disabled. It was of such importance to him, that sometimes, even family social events had to be moved because of a clash with an athletics event. 

Over the years Roy was one of those striving to do better and make the next grade. Later he was an ambassador to the role – telling others about it, encouraging people to take it up, and encouraging and training fellow officials too. So we know that he would have been proud and honoured to think that his memory and name could be used, via this shield, to continue that work of encouragement.

ex-Warrant Officer Edward Roy Kissack MSM GSM LSGCM

Roy was a proud Manxman - born and raised in Douglas, Isle of Man he continued to visit the Island whenever possible and remained fiercely Manx despite his long periods away from 'home'. Leaving the Island for national service in 1956 he continued serving with the Royal Air Force until 1989 retiring as a Warrant Officer. 

During his service as a Radio Operator Telegraphist he served in Hong Kong, Australia, Aden, Bahrain, Berlin and England. In addition to three Air Officer Commanding commendations, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 1982, the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal in 1974 and the General Service Medal (Saudi Arabia) in 1961. On leaving the RAF, the Air Force Board commented "Thank you for your excellent work in support of communications analysis, in particular the outstanding contribution you have made in the field of military intelligence."  - of course unless you worked with Roy, you'd  know little of his RAF work because of it's classified nature - he didn't say a lot about it!

Roy took up a civil service post at 399 Signals Unit, RAF Digby (now JSSU) on his retirement from the RAF at age 55, allowing him to continue to work within the specialist military communications world that he knew so well.

For many years Roy was actively involved in officiating at field athletics competitions. Beginning whilst he was serving in the RAF and continuing right up to his death. Gaining Grade 1 International AAA Official status he could even be spotted on TV - however not one for the limelight he equally, and especially, enjoyed his work with disabled and young peoples events. Athletics was Roy's prime interest after retirement, travelling the country during the warmer months and braving the winter cold, locally, at cross country events.  He made many friends pursing this love of his life.

Roy was also a keen sportsman himself in earlier years, he loved playing badminton especially and before that anything to do with fishing.

Despite being in poor health since 2005 he has continued to live life to the full and we are sure he will be missed by many in addition to us, his family.