A TEIGNMOUTH Rugby Club stalwart has died aged 59 from a rare form of dementia.

Rob Vicary was a popular player and official with the Bitton Park club which he joined as a teenager.

He was chairman twice, served as the first and second team manager,  was on the committee and received the Barcelona Cup for clubman of the year.  In 2016 he was awarded life membership in recognition of his years of loyal service and commitment.

He had been unwell for some time, but it was not until a diagnosis late last year of frontal temporal lobe dementia, Picks disease, which affects younger people, that it was realised why his personality had changed.

Mr Vicary was born and bred in Teignmouth, attending Brook Hill Primary School and Westlawn. Leaving school, he joined Bladon builders as an apprentice carpenter and joiner, gaining a City and Guilds qualification.

He went on to work for several other firms, and had a spell as a shopfitter, travelling all over the country.

In the 1980s he was made redundant, and had a change of career working as a technical instructor at Exminster, Digby and Langdon hospitals.

In the early 90s, Mr Vicary set up his own business which he built up into a very successful building company, which he had to give up because of the illness.

He leaves a widow, Donna, a son Richard, and two grandchildren.

Ray Moore, the rugby club president, said the news of his death was very sad.

’Rob was a real club stalwart for four decades. He gave unstintingly of his time and energy. The development of Teignmouth RFC as a busy and successful sports club owes much to his dedication and loyalty. We have lost a popular and devoted member.’