SIMPSON BAY--Malcolm Maidwell, much loved doyen of the sports community, passed away at his home on Saturday afternoon after succumbing to a ten-year battle against prostate cancer. He was 73.
His wife Liz and all four of his children were at his bedside. Michael Maidwell from Orange Grove band flew in from Holland to be there. Tributes have been pouring in to the Maidwell home over the weekend and countless condolence messages posted on Facebook.
Daughter Suzy told The Daily Herald while the cancer had worsened her father was determined to be awake at the end.
"He said everybody he loved and wanted to be with was alive. He had been too weak to communicate before but he suddenly said very clearly to us 'I love you all...I'm going now.' He saved all his energy to say that. It was beautiful," Suzy recalled.
His body will be cremated today Monday but that will be a private family affair.
In tribute to his immense contribution to sports, cyclists will meet at the Maidwell home on Saturday, May 14 at 3:00pm from where they will carry his ashes around the Lagoon to the runners who will be waiting at Port de Plaisance to continue the procession. The runners will finish at Kim Sha Beach before handing the ashes over to the Kayakers who will spread his ashes in the bay. A gathering will be held on the beach around 5:00pm where people will be able to pay their personal tributes.
Malcolm Maidwell was something of a visionary and responsible for starting and promoting sports such as road running, cycling, triathlons, and kayaking during the early days when those sports did not exist on the Dutch side.
He came to the island in 1969 and started a boat-building business with Peter Spronk in 1971. At the time he was an avid runner and soon formed the Road Runners Club with another sports enthusiast Dr. Frits Bus in 1984. The club is now in its 26th year.
It was around 1992 that Malcolm started the Friendly Island Triathlon Association and subsequently opened the Tri Sport shop as a means to import bikes for a growing number of triathletes. His brainchild, the Mini Triple Triathlon, encouraged many newcomers into the sport due to its flexibility of distances and disciplines.
In 1998 the Friendly Island Cycling Association was formed. Prior to this cycling clubs were all on the French side.
Following a cycling accident, he changed tacks and formed the Friendly Island Aquatic Club in 2002 which promoted Kayaking.
In 2005 he was decorated by Queen Beatrix of Holland for his contribution to sports.
Malcolm Maidwell will be remembered for his infectious enthusiasm and encouraging scores of sedentary people into healthy, sporty, lifestyles. He delighted in seeing his new-found athletes' progress.
Said Frits Bus; "I've lost my best and closest friend. We shared the same interests and passion for sports. Malcolm was always the driving force behind the forming of clubs and events. We did a lot together. The way he approached people and motivated them was amazing. We will miss him terribly."
Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/16602-malcolm-maidwell-passes-away-at-73.html
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