Devon Cricket Board - Cricket community says farewell to Mark Jasper

Cricket community says farewell to Mark Jasper

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

THERE was laughter among the tears at the funeral of Sidmouth cricketer Mark Jasper, who died recently after a 10-year battle against cancer.

Tears for the loss of a devoted husband and father, who was only 43 when he died.

Laughter for the cricket devotee who cut wickets in his back garden as a youngster, then proceeded to bowl flat out at his brother.

Friends, family, cricket team-mates and rivals turned out in force at St Peter’s Church in Budleigh Salterton to say farewell to Mr Jasper, the Australian who met a Devon girl and made her home his.

Mr Jasper’s coffin was carried into church bearing a wreath adorned with a highly polished cricket ball. A selection of his cricket gear – bat, pad and gloves – was laid out in front of the congregation.

Many tributes were paid to Mr Jasper, including an emotional one from former Sidmouth team-mate Graham Munday.

Mr Munday, who paused from time to time to fight back his tears, said Mr Jasper represented all that was good about cricket.

“Our cricket family has lost a talented cricketer and a great team-mate,” said Mr Munday.

“Mark epitomised the spirit of cricket both on and off the field.

“He played hard but fair with great skill. After the game he was always willing to share his knowledge with youngsters and opponents - and talk about cricket long into the night.”

The service was conducted by the Rev Anne Charlton, parish priest at St Peters, and her predecessor Rev Robert Charlton, who married Mr Jasper and wife Karen in October 2008 in the same church.

Mr Charles read a tribute from Mrs Jasper, in which she described him as ‘an excellent husband and father’, her ‘soulmate’ and someone who always thought of others.

Mrs Charlton delivered a eulogy on behalf of Mr Jasper’s family, parts of which sent a ripple of laughter around the church.

Refering back to Mr Jasper’s childhood, Mrs Charlton said: “There was some surprise when he was seen to get the lawn-mower out without being asked, then they realised he was cutting a cricket pitch in the back garden.

“His younger brother was sent out there with a bat in his hand and Mark proceeded to hurl cricket balls at him.”

Mark and Karen initially made their home in Sidmouth before moving to Budleigh Salterton.

“Mark’s parties were legendary and their neighbours in Sidmouth were delighted when Mark and Karen moved to Budleigh Salterton,” said Mrs Charlton.

Mrs Charlton said the love of his friends and family helped Mr Jasper defy the predictions of his doctors, who gave him between six months and a year to live in late 2008.

“He lived for three years longer than expected,” said Mrs Charlton. “That was him. A fighter and an inspiration to us all.”

A private cremation took place after the funeral. Mourners attended a reception at Sidmouth Cricket Club.

Mark Jasper is survived by his wife Karen and four-year-old son Max.

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