Coventry Sub Aqua Club was sad to hear of the passing of Eddie Gardner, who was associated with the club for almost fifty years, in November last year.

Born in 1936, Eddie was one of the club’s original members. When he joined us in 1973, Eddie did not know how to swim, but in the course of his almost fifty-year association with the club, he became an accomplished diver and held key roles on the club’s committee.

Eddie was the first member of Coventry Sub Aqua Club to organise a diving holiday to the Red Sea in 1981, back when liveaboards were rare and driving through the desert to the dive site was the order of the day.

As a mechanic, Eddie contributed to the club’s affairs at home by maintaining our compressor and building a smaller portable compressor to take on trips to remote dive sites in the UK. He also owned a caravan and boat, docked in Anglesey, which the club could use for its sea diving.

Eddie ended his diving days in 2010, but remained part of our club as an honorary member. Many club members last saw him at a special event, organised by our current Treasurer, Jeff, to bring back “founders” and older members of the club to share stories and memories.

Eddie was married to Sandra for many years. Sadly, Sandra passed away almost two weeks after her husband. Eddie and Sandra were laid to rest at Canley Crematorium earlier this month. Kind donations from attendees will go to the RNLI.

Eddie and Sandra are survived by their two daughters and son.

Coventry Sub Aqua Club has sent a letter to SCUBA Magazine to commemorate Eddie.