the times | Wednesday April 8 2020 1GM 51
Register
alongside their greatest name,
Meadowlark Lemon (obituary,
January 6, 2016). Noting his
shaved head, a style he adopted
as a boy in an attempt to raze a
haircut he hated, a coach
dubbed him “Curly” in
reference to the member of the
Three Stooges.
Frederick Neal was born in
Greensboro, North Carolina, in- As a boy, his mother, a
domestic worker who was sepa-
rated from his father, disliked
him playing in the street with
other kids, so he took up basket-
ball because he could practise
alone. He had two daughters,
Laverne and Rocurl, the latter
name an amalgam of “Curly”
and “Rose”, after his wife of 34
years, the former Rose Allen,
who died in 2010.
The Globetrotters were rarely
taxed to their limits by oppo-
nents — the team enjoyed an
8,829-game winning streak
between 1971 and 1995 — but life
was harder than it looked behind
the point-scoring and pranks.
The touring schedule was pun-
ishing and Neal suffered a minor
heart attack on the court in 1971
at the age of 29. He spent the vast
majority of his time away from
home, sometimes playing two
games in a day and usually trav-
elling between American cities
by coach. During his 22 seasons
with the team he appeared in
more than 6,000 games in 97
countries. By the time he turned
40 he owned 18 suitcases and
had endured several injuries and
surgeries.
Neal and his teammates per-
formed for an audience of one in
the Sixties. “They had a basket-
ball court set up at the Vatican,
indoors,” he recalled to The
Oklahoman. “The Pope [Paul
VI], he enjoyed it. We threw holy
water on him. It was real holy
water. We threw confetti and
water in our other games, but we
threw holy water on the Pope.
He enjoyed it, though.”
Pop-culture crossovers added
to Neal’s celebrity. The Globe-
trotters regularly featured on
television, including in a 1981
film, The Harlem Globetrotters
on Gilligan’s Island, in which they
battled a robot basketball team,
and episodes of The Love Boat
WANTING to release Jesus, Pilate
appealed to them again. But they kept
shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
Luke 23.20-21 (NIV)Bible verses are provided by the
Bible SocietyBirths, Marriages and Deaths newsukadvertising.co.uk 6 020 7782 7553
Clarence House
7th April, 2020
The Prince Charles, Duke of
Rothesay, this evening held a
Sustainable Markets Meeting
via video link.Court Circular
Curly Neal
Harlem Globetrotter whose dribbling skills dazzled crowds
As one of the stars of the Harlem
Globetrotters, Curly Neal
wowed fans with his skills and
flair, bamboozling opponents by
dribbling past them on his knees
and launching precipitous
two-handed shots that looped
into the basket from seemingly
impossible distances.
For more than two decades he
was an integral part of the barn-
storming basketball team that is
famous for its zany mixture of
comedy and athleticism, tour-
ing the world in shows that
blended sport, circus and
theatre.
For Neal, being a player on the
African-American team was “as
much a responsibility as it was a
job”, especially in its early
decades and during the civil
rights movement, he wrote in a
2016 column for USA Today
to mark the Globetrotters’
90th anniversary.
In the 1950s, Neal noted, the
Globetrotters were turned away
from a restaurant and a hotel in
Florida after playing an exhibi-
tion in front of 18,000 fans.
“Later, they found out that a
performing chimpanzee spon-
sored by a local bowling alley
got a big fancy suite. Here
they were, the Harlem Globe-
trotters, America’s best-known
basketball team, unable to eat a
meal or stay in a hotel room
in Jacksonville.”
Purveying light-hearted
razzle-dazzle in an era of intense
racial strife was viewed by some
activists as subservience,
though the Globetrotters beat
majority-white teams night
after night. A 1973 Sports
Illustrated article contended
that “while the Globies provided
pride and opportunity for blacks
for decades, they now labour in
the shadow of Uncle Tom; they
are paid, as ever, by white
bosses... to make white audien-
ces laugh”.
Neal, though, saw the Globe-
trotters as a unifying force. “We
weren’t just entertainers. I truly
believe that we helped ease
many of the tensions that pulled
at the country. It didn’t matter if
you were black, white or what-
ever — laughing and enjoying
our games made those barriers
disappear,” he wrote. “It’s a place
to come together, no matter
your background or the colour
of your skin.”
The Globetrotters were
founded in 1926 by Abe Saper-
stein, a sport entrepreneur who
was born in London and grew up
in Chicago, where the team was
originally based (the Harlem
name was a marketing tactic).
Neal was recruited by Saper-
stein in 1963 while studying
communication and physical
education, and practising
basketball for six hours a day, at
Johnson C Smith University, a
historically black institution in
North Carolina. Around the
same time he was also invited to
try out with several National
Basketball Association (NBA)
clubs. Signing with a team in the
professional league was his
preference, but Saperstein
agreed to pay Neal’s travel ex-
penses so he chose a trial with
the Globetrotters.
He was not tall by basketball
standards, standing 6ft 1in, but
with spellbinding dribbling abil-
ity he quickly became one of the
leading Globetrotters, playing
and Scooby-Doo, as well as their
own cartoon series produced by
Hanna-Barbera.
Neal retired in 1985 amid a
pay dispute. “I was making
$130,000 [the equivalent of
about £300,000 today], and they
wanted to give me $75,000,” he
told the Orlando Sentinel. That’s
no money, not after 22 years, not
when the average NBA salary is
$500,000. They only play 82
games a year. We played 300. I’d
be away from my family six to
eight months a year. I wasn’t
going to do that for $75,000. It
wasn’t fair.”
Neal hoped to become a
professional golfer on a senior
tour — he was said to have a
handicap of four despite never
having taken a lesson — but was
hired to work in community
relations for a new team, the
Orlando Magic, who valued his
fame, sunny personality and
crowd-pleasing ball tricks as
they built a fanbase before their
entry to the NBA in 1989.
He made numerous public
appearances as a goodwill am-
bassador for the Globetrotters,
who honoured him at a ceremo-
ny at Madison Square Garden in
2008, when his shirt number, 22,
became the fifth to be retired by
the team. His popularity and his
cheerful demeanour endured
long after his heyday and he was
in demand with autograph
hunters, habitually signing
“Smiles, from ‘Curly’ Neal”.Frederick “Curly” Neal, basketball
player, was born on May 19, 1942.
He died of complications from a
stroke on March 26, 2020, aged 77Neal saw the Globetrotters as a unifying force, easing racial tension
DEBRA will receive 100% of your donation. You will be charged for one standard text message plus your donation.
By using this service, you agree that we may contact you in the future about our work. If you’d rather we didn’t, add
the words NO INFO when texting your donation. DEBRA is a registered charity, numbers 1084958 and SC039654.
Text service provider Vir2 Mobile’s helpline 0330 660 0425Claudia is living with
Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) – –aaa
painful genetic skin blisterinnggg
condition which makes her skin s herrrs sssskskkkkkiniininnnnnnnn
as fragile as a butterflyy’s wiinnngg.g..
Please help DEBBRA fifind a cuccucurerereesssooo
children like Clauudiaaa can be free of the
pain caused by EEB.
Text CURE to 70 5500 and donate £5 now
Claudia has never knknnoooowoooowwwwwwwnnnnnnn
a life without pain.
Even the slightest toucchhhhcccccaaanaan
damage her skin.
To learn more about buttterfly children like Claudia go to
butterflychildren.org.uuk
thetimes.co.uk/
announce
The simple way to place
your announcement
in The Times.
Available 2 4 hours a day,
seven days a week.
newsukadvertising.co.uk
and business hours
- 00 am to 5.30pm
Monday to Friday
020 7782 7553
BOASE Christopher Stewart on
Saturday 21 March 2020, aged 64
years, peacefully at home in Wallasey
following a period of deteriorating
health.Beloved son of the late Vivian
and Margaret and brother to Richard.
Family-only cremation on 15 April, to
be followed by a Service for all his
many friends to celebrate his life once
the world has started spinning again
(as “The Doctor” might say).
Donations, if so desired to one or more
of the following charities: British
Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK, RNIB
or the Samaritans, all c/o Ian Dallinger
Funeral Services, 103 Brighton Street,
Wallasey, CH44 6QL. Tel: 0151 637
1000 .Please state your preferred
charity if you do not wish your
donation to be split equally.THOMAS
David Churchill passed away
peacefully on 4th April 2020, aged
8 6 Beloved husband of Susan,
father of David, Clare and Harriet,
and grandfather of Holly, Lucy,
Bowen, Lily, Fred and Mimi. A
small, private cremation will be
followed by a memorial service
when circumstances allow.
Anyone wishing to attend is
welcome to register their interest
at [email protected].SELKA Jennifer Mary (née Turner)
aged 84 years, died peacefully on 5th
April at home in Huddersfield. Loving
wife of the late Max, much loved
mother of William, Helen, Emma,
James and Charlotte and a very dear
mother-in-law and grandma. Private
cremation. A memorial service will be
announced later. If wished, donations
made payable to "Parkinson's UK" may
be sent to Adam Heath, John Heath &
Sons, 14 Earsham Street, Sheffield S4
7 LS or made on line at
http://www.JohnHeath.co,ukDOWLER
Anthony Julian ("Tony") passed
away peacefully on 26th March
2 020, aged 76 after a long illness
bravely borne. Much loved
husband of Hazel. The best
possible stepfather to Lee.
Adored grandfather of Eloise.
Family service with memorial
when circumstances permit.BARNETT Barney on 28th March
2020, aged 87 passed away at the
family home in Furneux Pelham.
Beloved husband to Kay, father to
Stewart, Sarah, Adam & Fergus and
grandfather to Victoria, Nicole, John &
Ophelia. A dear friend and inspiration
to many throughout his years, he will
be sorely missed and dearly
remembered. A private family
cremation will take place at 1pm on
Thurs 9th April. A celebration of his
life will be held later in the year.HARVEY John Frederick passed away
peacefully on 3rd April 2020, aged 81
years Much loved husband of Susan,
father of Andrew, father-in-law of
Esther and pops to Tinneke.A private
burial will take place at Melbury
Osmond Dorset. A Thanksgiving
Service will be held at a later date. All
enquiries to A J Wakely & Sons. Tel:
019 35 47 9913PETRIE-HAY Louise Cecelia Mary (née
Dormer) on 5th April 2020, aged 9 8
Lover of dogs. Died peacefully at
Brockington House, Hereford. Beloved
mother of David, Sally and Rufus,
grandmother of Claire, Alex, Alan and
Natalie and greatgrandmother of
William, Jack and Sam. Private
cremation with a thanksgiving service
when time allowsLLOYD Michael Christopher died
peacefully on 2nd April 2020, aged 7 5
Beloved husband of Merryn, much-
loved father of Amanda and Matthew,
devoted grandfather to Ida, Freddy and
Oran. Thanksgiving service announced
when restrictions lifted. Donations to
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
welcome.GIBBS Peter Malcolm on 4th April
2020, aged 82 of Highgate passed away
on 4th April 2020 aged 82.Husband to
Renata brother to Felicity father to
Gemma and Nick grandfather to Katie
Holly Poppy William Andrew Rosie and
Joe and great grandfather to Leo Toby
Ben and Nico. He will be much missed
and fondly remembered.FRANK Peter died on 6th April 2020,
aged 93 at the Royal Free Hospital of
Covid-1 9 . Devoted husband of Vivien
for 55 years, loving father to Caroline &
Jacqueline and adored by his grandsons
Saul & Jasper, the lights of his life.
Memorial service will be held at a later
date.WOODHAMSJean Rosemary (née
Beamer) died peacefully at Southport
DGH on 28th March, after a short
illness, aged 81. Much loved wife,
mother, grandmother and great
grandmother.Private funeral on 9 th
April.Donations in memory to Medicins
Sans Frontieres - Coronavirus AppealDAY, LT. COL. Rodney Thomas on
28th March 2020, aged 83 , at peace
after a short illness. Retired civil
engineer. Beloved husband of Gillian
and much loved father of Anne-Marie
and Emma. Memorial service later in
the year.BURTON Jocelyn died on 5th April
2020 , Silversmith extraordinaire. In
Boston with her family. No funeral but
donations tobowel cancer research
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraisi
ng/jocelynburton. Celebration at a
later date. alisonfairman@hotmail comDUFFIE Paul Francis David died on 3rd
April 2020, aged 85 Beloved husband of
the late Brenda, adored master of
many dogs, much loved uncle of Cate
and Alex, a true friend and comrade. An
exceptional man who will be deeply
missed by many.TYDEMAN John Peter OBE,former
Head of BBC Radio Drama, much loved
partner of Tony died 1st April 2020,
aged 84. He will be missed by many,
especially in the world of theatre.
Private cremation, service of
celebration for his life in due course.MRS.J.MEAD
AND MISSC.A.BURNFORD
The engagement is announced between
Sam, son of Mr and Mrs Peter Mead of
Foxton, Cambridgeshire and Christine,
daughter of Dr and Mrs Richard
Burnford of Wicken, CambridgeshireNEWELL Raymond on 31st March
2 020, aged 78 Father of Simon, Alice
and Sophie, grandfather of Louis,
Rufus, Dillon, Jasmine, Franklin, Luca
and Rocco , brother to Robert and
Henrietta and stepbrother to Angela
and MadeleineSOLBETT John died suddenly on 3rd
April 2020, aged 100 Beloved husband
of the late Audrey and dearly loved
father, grandfather and great
grandfather. A memorial service will be
held at a later date.BARNETT - Alastair Morris,dearly
loved son of the late Sir Geoffrey and
Lady Barnett,died in hospital on 31st
March, aged 77 years. A memorial
service will be held in Scotland at a
later date.COOMBES, MARGARET. Passed
away on 8th April 2010. Beloved wife
of Henry until his passing in March2000. Loved and missed still by Sarah,
James, Hannah and Mike. In our
hearts always.
BUXTON On 10th March 2020 to
Rebecca (née Lumsden) and Stewart, a
son, William Malcolm Charles Buxton
weighing 9lb 13 oz.RADFORD On 27th March 2020 to
Madeleine (née Davies) and Simon, a
son, Barnaby Arthur StevenForthcoming
MarriagesSHEEHAN Kathleen (née Weeks) died
on 24th March 2020, aged 90. A much-
loved mother, grandmother and friend.HAPPY 1 6 TH BIRTHDAY BENJAMIN
Wishing our wonderful son a special
16th Birthday. Love Mum & Dad xxxIn Memoriam -
PrivateLegal Notices
Births
Deaths
Birthdays