SNOOKER players, friends and family members gathered to bid a fond farewell to town sporting legend Norman Dowie Senior yesterday.

Pro Norman passed away peacefully on March 15 aged 86.

Norman was a popular and influential member of the Swindon sport community, nurturing the talents of many aspiring snooker stars.

The community stalwart’s prowess as a snooker coach was recognised both locally and on the world stage.

Hundreds of mourners congregated in St John’s Church, Cavendish Square to pay tribute to the kind and bubbly snooker coach who was known as Norrie or Jock.

Pallbearers entered to Remember Me by Christie Hennessy and the sun burst through the clouds on what the minister called a ‘a beautiful day for a beautiful man.’

Norman’s loving grandson Kenny opened the service with a poignant poem ‘It’s Good To See You’ which envisaged Norman entering heaven, becoming part of a snooker club and enjoying a roast dinner.

A eulogy on behalf of the family said: “When he discovered snooker his life took on a whole new meaning.”

Norman first picked up his cue when he was a young boy growing up in Edinburgh, a move which sparked an 80-year long passion for the sport.

In Scotland he met wife Mary who he married in 1955. The pair lived in London where they welcomed the first of their seven children, before moving to Park North.

The eulogy drew smiles from the congregation when it mentioned Norman’s unique storytelling ability. He famously said he had ridden with James Bond actor Sean Connery on a milk float, a tale that was later revealed to be true.

The father-of-seven made sure his family were well looked after, taking them on two holidays a year, to Edinburgh and Brean Sands, Somerset. There he would let wife Mary rest and relax as he cooked dinner for her and their family.

Family man Norman also showed a sophisticated tailoring ability, handcrafting his family’s tartan wardrobe for their joint christening service, also held at St John’s Church.

Norman was a true entrepreneur, when he moved to the town he would visit the Old Town market to buy chickens, which he would slaughter himself, prepare and sell as over-ready meat.

Norman was manager of a town centre snooker club and a familiar face at Jesters Snooker Hall and the 147 Snooker Club.

He was known for his work in the field of disability sports, he was the Team GB wheelchair snooker team coach and travelled to Seoul, South Korea for the Paralympics. Norman was also the mastermind behind town talents Tim Bailey and Stephen Lee.

Another poem, Part of You, on behalf of Norman’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren was read out by Kenny.

The poem reflected on how much the kind grandfather had given to his family.

It read: “I wouldn’t have my personality or my funny little ways.

“I wouldn’t have the humour to brighten my darkest days.”

The service ended with Flower of Scotland before a committal service at Kingsdown Cemetery.

A wake was held at the Swiss Chalet where friends gathered to share more memories of Norman