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By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
TRIBUTES have been paid to Sidmouth cricketer Mark Jasper, who has died after a ten-year fight against cancer.
Jasper, who was born in Australia but spent much of his life in New Zealand, moved to this country when he met wife-to-be Karen from east Devon.
The couple, who have a young son Max, made their home in Budleigh Salterton.
Jasper (pictured) played regularly for Sidmouth from 2007 until August 2011, when illness forced him to give up the game.
What 43-year-old Jasper believed to be a harmless mole turned into a malignant form of skin cancer that spread throughout his body.
In 2009 doctors told Jasper he had between 6-12 months to live, but by trying numerous experimental treatments in this country and the United States, he managed to defy the cancer for more than two and a half years.
In an interview with www.devoncricket.com in May 2010, Jasper said: “If I can hang on in there for another 12 months that is time together we probably wouldn’t have had, according to the doctors.
“It is worse for Max and Karen than it is for me. When I die it is all over for me, but they have to carry on having lost a husband and father.”
Jasper’s condition deteriorated before Christmas, shortly after Sidmouth’s annual awards night, when he was named 2nd XI bowler of the year. He was being cared for at Budleigh Salterton Cottage Hospital when he died.
Sidmouth chairman Mike Dibble led the tributes to Jasper, a man he described as a true stalwart of the club.
“Mark put up an incredibly brave fight and it bought him some extra years with his wife and son,” said Dibble.
“His death is a huge shame for everyone who knew him and he will be deeply missed.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this tough time.”
Wicketkeeper John Goodwin (pictured, left) played in the same team as Jasper and has paid his own tribute to his friend.
“Mark was one of the best bowlers I ever kept wicket to and a top bloke with it,” said Goodwin.
“When one Easter, half a dozen years ago, he walked by the Fort Field with Karen Bridges, who was to become Mrs Jasper, and enquired about playing for the club I did not realise what a jewel was before me.
“A couple of months later he was hitting the seam at a lively pace and confounding batsmen… and me!
“Always willing to impart his knowledge of his art to young pretenders, his influence will be missed.
“A measure of the man is that almost three years ago he was told he had six months to live - it cast a shadow over an otherwise successful year for the club - yet gave his all over two more seasons while confronting his illness.”
Click here to send your tribute to Mark Jasper
