I first met Stephen over 60 years ago and our friendship grew due to our interest in cricket and football and our shared sense of humour over the years I have very treasured memories of Stephen I will miss the many times he contacted by phone to discuss an article in the newspaper or book he was reading covering sport,politics and general news he was a true and generous friend and will be missed by my family and I Gerry Byrom

I will miss Stephen greatly he was so wise and many a phone call I would be read interesting or funny things from a book, or told a joke. There have been plenty of adventures with Chris and Stephen but the two I remember, the first was the only time I saw Stephen speechless we were staying with them and after eating Stephen dropped a knife and I quickly said knife to the floor gentleman to the door, Stephen laughed and said that’s rubbish, then very much later that night there was a hammering at the door; opening it Stephen was face to face with 2 policeman ( apparently some youngsters were damaging tyres on the street and wanted to check ours - which were ok) however after that he never laughed at my sayings. The other time Stephen took me and Christine to pick up a hedgehog and Chris and I sitting in the car saw Stephen coming back running up the path, he was white and said we had to drive quickly, the lady in the house told him she kept falling over and she dropped down on the path and told Stephen to help her up and showing him where to put his hands, well Stephen being the gent he was helped her up, and got away as quickly as he could as he didn’t like the suggested positioning of hands, it made us laugh so much as we made our getaway. Stephen was like a second dad to me and I will miss his special ways which were unique, a true gentleman and a lovely person Rest in peace my great friend

This was written by Mike Short of the North Wales Cricket League: STEPHEN WARD Stephen was a highly regarded member of the North Wales Cricket League. He served on the League committee between 2000 and 2011 and served as Chairman between 2005 to 2007. Despite his broad Lancashire accent he was very warmly welcomed into the North Wales cricketing family. Stephen was very active in his role as chairman and was very popular with clubs as well as with his fellow committee members. Most weekends he travelled across the length and breadth of North Wales so that he could visit as many of the League’s 39 clubs as possible. He had the uncanny knack of arriving at the ground he was travelling to around the tea break, thus being able to participate in sampling the food prepared by the club visited. Stephen’s trips to the various grounds was very much appreciated by clubs who felt honoured to be visited by the League Chairman. But that was the type of person that Stephen was, always happy to talk to anyone and everyone. He gave great service to the North Wales Cricket League and it was with great sadness when we heard of his passing. Stephen – Thank you for your service.