When I took my first tentative steps in learning how to be a cricket umpire it was to attend a meeting of the N I Umpires Association in the pavilion of Wallace Park - Lisburn.

I walked in to a room full of men who hadn't a clue who I was and took a seat beside a big man with a beaming smile. We introduced ourselves and thus began my friendship with" The Great White" which continued until his untimely death a few days ago.

Pete was first and foremost a family man who adored his wife and his four children. He also loved sport and excelled as a cricket umpire with superb man-management skills. He quickly gained interprovincial and international honours and stood in 10 international matches which included Australia and West Indies as well as 3 Senior Cup finals .

When exchange trips to Leinster and the North West were organised you could be sure that Pete's name was in the hat and when someone was required to accompany the Chairman in the first exchange with Merseyside, he was the natural choice.

For many years Pete assisted with the training of new umpires and chaired our association for 2 years.  He was recently awarded Honorary Life Membership of NIACUS.

Pete will be greatly missed by his countless colleagues and friends throughout the cricketing fraternity and our sincere condolences go to Noreen and the whole family circle.