Bath Street Marine Table Tennis Club
A Table Tennis England PremierClub

Desmond Benet Logan

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On the day that, around the world, many celebrate newness of life, stalwart member Des Logan, aged 91, passed away peacefully from this life. Members of the table tennis club were saddened to hear the news that long-serving member, Des, had passed away on Easter Sunday, 5 April 2026.

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Des may not have been a top table tennis player, but he was a top man, a top friend, a top supporter and encourager, a top husband, father, and grandfather.

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Within the table tennis club Des had been a strong supporter of, and early participant in, the 'Wednesday morning' social table tennis. This was long before the club was able to offer social table tennis every day of the week, as it does now! But it was people like Des who drove and inspired social table tennis within the club, leading to it becoming more inclusive and open. Des was also a very strong encourager and supporter of junior table tennis. When he introduced his own grandchildren, Euan, Finn, Iris & Archie, to the club it became the foundation to the building a junior section, the introduction of junior coaching, and it was two of his grandchildren, Euan & Finn Mason who, with their friend Hugh, formed the club's entry into a newly formed Junior Development Division of the Liverpool & District Table Tennis League.

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Born in Liverpool in January 1935, Des was brought up by his parents Thomas & Winefred in Anfield within a stones-throw of the hallowed turf! Not even 5 years old when World War II broke out, Des was evacuated to Roman Bridge in North Wales. Not sure he ever learnt Welsh though! But Des was intelligent and won a scholarship to St Edward's College, before going on to complete an engineering apprenticeship. Like so many of his age, Des undertook National Service and spent 2 years in Northern Ireland. A varied career in engineering led to the formation of his own business, Logtek Sales which he ran until he was 80!

 

Des met his wife to be, Marie, in 1956 at a dance in the church hall and married on the 23 April 1960 just 1 week after Easter. Des & Marie had 5 children, Catherine, Helen, Ruth, Matthew and Judith and also 16 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. A real family man. 

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Des was a quiet man, not one to push himself forward, but he had a very dry wit and was a very good team leader. He was prepared to take on the role of team captain for the club for a team in the Liverpool League a role which he did with aplomb. He was always happy to bring new members into his team and gained great delight when he was able to include his own grandchildren into his league squad.

 

Des & Marie were also keen supporters of the social activities of the club aside from table tennis, and they would be regular guests at table tennis club celebrations and dances at the Marine Social Club. In latter years when his wife's health deteriorated he often found solace with friends at the table tennis club. 

 

When news of his passing first reached members, many tributes poured in from those who had known him. Typical of these was a comment by member Keith Dudley, "I started in the league alongside Des and remember the laughs we had on the journey and in the club, a great fellow". Indeed, common themes were a recollection of the sense of humour that Des had, his leadership, and the way in which he encouraged and supported others.

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The funeral service for Des is to be held at Thornton Crematorium on Friday 17 April at 10:30am and afterwards at the Northern Cricket Club. All are welcome. The family would love you to share memories of Des. Below is a small selection of pictures about Des that we are pleased to share.

 

 

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