Bath Street Marine Table Tennis Club
A Table Tennis England PremierClub
News Release - BSMTTC News 196
10 October 2025
Cyril Penny
As a 'family' we, as a table tennis club, love to hear about past as well as present members. The exception is when we hear that a former member has passed away! It was with deep regret and sadness therefore that we learned that Cyril had passed away peacefully at Lostock Lodge Care Home, Northwich on the 26 September aged 93.
Cyril had been a loyal member of the club over many years, and even after he moved to Northwich in 2015 to be nearer his son, he continued to occasionally get to Marine to meet his friends and play a few games of table tennis.
Cyril was born in Liverpool on the 12 August 1932 and, as with so many Liverpool lads, he loved his football. The blood in his veins was truly red! But Cyril also enjoyed tennis and dancing, and trips to the Isle of Man with his friends from the Boys Club. Indeed it was probably at the Litherland Boys Club, which opened in 1948, that Cyril first played table tennis.
Cyril was certainly a loyal and lasting friend. Talking of his friend, John Findley, Cyril comments, "we went to school at the same time and year, served our trade time and both tried for the RAF. John went into the RAF but I failed to pass the entry requirements due to bad ears (something from his childhood!)." Both John & Cyril became auto electricians and had their own garage - Maghull Service Station, until 1998 when Cyril finally retired. In fact they both retired together and their friendship continued, playing table tennis at Marine!
Cyril married Jean Balshaw in 1962 and they remained together until Jean passed away just prior to Cyril moving to Northwich. For much of those last years of marriage Cyril had cared for Jean as she slowly succumbed to dementia. Indeed, Cyril was a loving and kind man, his wife, Jean, used to say of him "he hasn't got a bad bone in his body". He was seen as a friend to all with a quick smile and a wonderful laugh. Cyril was a real family man. There was nothing he loved more than being with his family, his son Christopher and three grandchildren. Cyril loved to travel and enjoyed many an adventure. both home and abroad, with his son Christopher. And in more recent times drew great pleasure from simple walks along the River Weaver or just watching the river and the boats from the balcony of his Northwich apartment.
Christopher says of his Dad, "He will be deeply missed by friends and family alike".
Many thanks to Christopher for the information that forms the basis of this tribute to Cyril.
Cyril's funeral service is at Thornton Garden of Rest on Monday 13 October at 3pm.
Above: Cyril Penny: 12 August 1932 - 26 September 2025. And below: Cyril with his wife Jean. And Cyril the family man.
And below, just a few pictures:
1. Cyril as a child with his family, he is the one with bandages around his ears!
2. Cyril with his friend, tennis partner and business partner John Findlay.
3. The opening of the Litherland Boys Club in 1948 - Cyril is in the picture - where Cyril probably first played table tennis.
And below:
1. To the right, John & Cyril at the garage - probably on their retirement!
2. On the beach at Crosby, Cyril & Jean with son Christopher.
3. Cyril out walking with son Christopher and grandson Edward.
4. Cyril with grandson Arthur.
5. Cyril relaxing on the balcony of his new apartment overlooking the river (canal).
6& 7. Cyril on his travels - off cruising, and in the square in Lisbon.
8. Cyril with his many friends at BSM.
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