OBITUARY: MICHAEL COMPTON

8th June 1946 – 18th November 2024. The treasurer and coach of Cotswold Fencing Club has passed away aged 78. By Kevin Nelson.

Treasurer & Coach Cotswold Fencing Club
Qualifications: Level 3 Foil, Level 3 Sabre (AFA)

My first memories of Mike were many years ago, when his Club Cheltenham YMCA Fencing Club amalgamated with my club Cotswold Fencing Club in a new venue, the Cheltenham sports centre. Before Mike arrived we had always been a foil and epee club, but Mike brought a new weapon with him, Sabre… of which I was one of his first converts, with his teaching he encouraged me to seek out further training from other coaches.

Mike’s constant passion to grow the sport of fencing shone throughout his time at the club. Always eager to give lessons and advice to new members and old alike, he shared his love for fencing, and stories of competitions and competitors to many, passing on that enthusiasm to plenty of people just exploring the sport. He was always willing to help out at whatever event the club was running.

Mike remained an active fencer on the open and veterans circuit until his health deteriorated, but he still kept on fencing at the club, including one memorable session where he decided to fence with an oxygen cylinder strapped to his back. If nothing else Mike was always determined to keep going, and would put his all into everything he did.

Among his achievements, Mike has represented his country at sabre and foil in the Veterans World Championships. Mike was also a volunteer armourer at the 2012 London Olympics. In 2015 Mike became treasurer of our club, a post he held until the end.

Mike will be sadly missed.

The funeral service will take place at the Church of St. Mary, Great Witcombe, Gloucester, GL3 4TS on Thursday 12th December 2024 at 11.30am. Please let Kevin know if you plan to attend: [email protected] 

Family flowers only, donations for ‘Sue Ryder, Leckhampton Court Hospice’ or the ‘Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust’ may be donated online here: Obituary Notice, Michael Spencer Compton