I'm now fifty years in cycling and over that time, I've seen the Jack involved in all areas of the sport. His life revolved around the sport, he gave so much time to it, many of you will know Jack from his commissaire roles at events. But that was only a small part of Jack's involvement, he was a leading figure on the Cycling Ireland board since it's foundation in 1988, before that he was a key figure in Northern Ireland cycling who aided the unification of cycling in Ireland.
If we had ranking of cycling officials in Ireland, Jack would be at the top. We have lost one of Ireland's most experienced cycling officials.
I would like to 'Thank you Jack for all your time you gave to our sport'
I wish to express my deepest sympathy to his wife Rea, sons Paul and Alan and all his family.
Peter Purfield
May he rest in peace.
I'll include this nice appreciation from the Cycling Ireland website
Jack Watson MBE - an Appreciation
Courtesy CyclingIreland.ie
The cycling community in Ireland is saddened to hear of the death of Jack Watson which occurred Monday, July 29th 2024. Jack has made an immeasurable and unique contribution to cycling both on the island of Ireland and internationally. The diversity, depth and longevity of his involvement has spanned seven decades and encompassed a vast array of roles at club, provincial, national and international level. He was the recipient of a range of prestigious national and international awards in acknowledgement of this outstanding service.
Jack was a key figure in the formation and growth of Cycling Ireland and served in many of its key roles, including that of President.
Born into a cycling family in the Shankill Road in Belfast in 1939, Jack's first club was Northern CC. He also competed with Coalville Wheelers in Leicestershire during a spell in England between 1961-63 and he was a founder member of North Down Cycling Club in Bangor.
He first became involved in cycling administration at local level in 1958 and progressed to regional level, becoming Chairman of the Northern Ireland Cycling Federation (NICF) which was then one of three cycling federations on the island.
Jack served in a myriad of roles during the 1970s-80s, including that of mechanic, selector, team manager, judge, timekeeper and commissaire. As an example, he was mechanic for the Team Ireland at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Jack's involvement at national level began in 1969 during a pivotal period for cycling administration on the island. There were three cycling federations in Ireland at that time and, after decades of division, they began to discuss co-operating in administering cycling on the island in 1969. The Irish Cycling Tripartite Committee was formalised for this purpose in 1978 and Jack served as both its Secretary and Chair. The formal unification of the three bodies occurred in 1987.
Given the acrimony and division of the time, Jack took a particularly courageous position during this period and, as such, played a key role in the formation of the unified Federation of Irish Cyclists (FIC), now known as Cycling Ireland.
He went on to serve in key roles in the unified Federation, including those of Director, Secretary, Vice-President and President (1990-94). He also continued his contribution at Provincial level, including the role of Chair of Cycling Ulster.
Another of his key roles and contributions was in the area of governance and technical regulations. He was very involved in drafting many of our technical and regulatory procedures and was always considered an authority in these areas – the 'go-to person' to get an answer when clarification was needed.
The value of Jack's abilities and efforts was recognised by his appointment to many further national and international roles. He served on the Irish Olympic Council and the Northern Ireland Sports Council. He became an international Commissaire and served in that role at Commonwealth Games and at World Track and Road Championships. He was prominent in anti-doping efforts, serving as Doping Control Officer for UK Sport and Sport Ireland, and contributed to the Northern Ireland Sports Council's anti-doping policy. He served on numerous doping hearings and had various advisory and educational roles on anti-doping efforts. He ensured that the experience gained throughout his sporting career was always available to share through the training and development of Commissaires and Doping Control Officers.
Jack's extraordinary contribution was recognised by the range of awards he received, nationally and internationally.
In 2003 he received the UCI's Gold Merit Award - the highest Cycling Award that can be presented by the sport's world governing body.
In 2013, Cycling Ireland initiated a Hall of Fame in celebration of its 25th Anniversary and Jack was one of the 20 original inductees.
The European Cycling Federation ' Union European Cycling (UEC) ' awarded him it's UEC Merit in 2017 for his contribution to cycling in Ireland and Europe.
And, in 2017, Jack was honoured by the Queen in her New Year's honours list and awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition for his lifetime of service to cycling.
Jack Watson on the occasion of his receipt of an MBE in 2017. He is accompanied by his son, Paul, who followed in his father’s footsteps into international commissairing and cycling administration - Paul currently holds a senior management position with Cycling Ireland.
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Jack Watson was a pillar of cycling in Ireland over many decades, has made an incalculable contribution to cycling over a lifetime of service and will be sadly missed. Apart from the astuteness and technical knowledge that he brought to his many official roles, he will be remembered for the distinctive personality that he brought to the cycling circuit - his Ulster frankness, combined with a warm affability, good-natured joviality and welcoming smile. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude and his memory will never be forgotten in Irish cycling.
All in the Cycling Ireland community extends its sympathy to Jack's wife Rea, to his sons Paul and Alan, and to all his wider circle of relatives and friends.
Jack Watson serving as Commissaire at the Irish National Road Championships in Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick, in June 2024. It was his last official role in the service of cycling - Photo Credit: Caroline Kerley
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Cycling Ireland President Dr. Tom Daly said:
"On behalf of the Board of Directors and all the members of Cycling Ireland, I wish to offer our sincere condolences to Jack's wife Rea and to his sons Paul and Alan, and also to the many close friends and cycling volunteers who will miss him greatly."
Cycling Ireland CEO James Quilligan said:
"Jack made an incredible contribution to cycling over a lifetime of service, both on the island of Ireland and internationally. During my time as CEO he was a great support, giving me invaluable guidance across all areas of the organisation. He will be greatly missed."
James Quilligan, CEO of Cycling Ireland
Dr. Tom Daly, President of Cycling Ireland