It is with extreme sadness, I report the passing of Life Member no. 26, John Pearson. John passed away in respite care on Monday evening 8 July. The dialysis treatment he had been receiving eventually got too much for his heart. He was 76.
John Pearson played just two seasons, 13 years apart, with Petersham-Marrickville, yet he was one of the most influential members of the club in the 1980s and through to its merger with Randwick in 2001. After beginning his cricket career with Balmain, he joined Petes in 1968-69 but was forced to transfer to the new Sydney club the following season when residential boundaries were changed. Some 12 years later, he was back in Petersham-Marrickville’s colours.
Increasing family and work commitments, however, saw him retire as a player at the end of the 1981-82 season. But he was not lost to the club and later served as Club Coach and Hon Treasurer. He was also a Delegate to the NSWCA and Sydney Cricket Association for 10 years before taking over as President of the club until December 1995.
During his time as President, he provided outstanding leadership when the club was under continual threat for amalgamation or exclusion from the 1st Grade competition. He and Hon Secretary Tim Dein formed a formidable duo in seeing off many such threats. His contribution to the Petersham-Marrickville club was formally recognised in 1996 when he was elected a Life Member. Four years later in the year 2000, he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal by the Governor-General.
John Pearson was a very successful Sydney Grade cricketer scoring 5,080 1st Grade runs with four centuries and 23 fifties in a career spanning 13 seasons. All but 46 of those were with the Sydney club. With his lower grade performances, his overall tally exceeds 6,000 runs. He also took close to 100 wickets across all competitions.
John was a great supporter of the merger with Randwick to form Randwick Petersham Cricket. He maintained his involvement as a valued Director of the Randwick Petersham Cricket Foundation and a committee member of the club supporter’s group, known as the Randwick Petersham Cricket Legends Society. He and son Corey are also the joint sponsors of the “Clive Johnston Memorial Award”, an annual presentation to the club’s best under 21 Poidevin-Gray player.
Funeral details will be advised when known.
RIP John Pearson. One of the greats and a club legend in every respect.
