ONE of the great servants to sport in Basingstoke has died.

Trevor Shanks, who twice won the Basingstoke and Deane Sports Award for Service to Sport in 1996 and 2003 and was runnerup in 1997, has died at the age 86.

He volunteered for a huge number of organisations throughout his time in Basingstoke, for which he was also awarded.

He is survived by his wife Jean, two daughters, Helen and Carole, his six grandsons, Matthew, Adam, Finn, Aidan, Cian and Rian.

Daughter Helen said: “Mum has looked after dad through his various ailments and illnesses and has been a strong, yet often talkative, rock throughout his long life. Dad’s love for Jaffa Cakes and biscuits was second only to his love for mum.”

Trevor was born in Belfast in 1930 and worked at BOCM Silcox in the city, before he moved to the firm’s head office in Basingstoke in 1982. He worked there until he retired in the late 80s.

He was a keen sportsman, playing squash, badminton, tennis and table tennis.

Trevor began playing tennis at the Cliftonville Tennis Club in Belfast, where he won the club’s singles tournament every year from 1952 to 1971.

After moving to Basingstoke, he played for Oakley Tennis Club and went on to become a vice He played for Oakley until he had his first hip replacement in 1998, at the age of 67, but he continued beating his grandchildren at any sport well into his 70s.

He played badminton for Eglinton and Malone Presbyterian until his move to Basingstoke, where he played for BOCM and Sun Life Clubs and he was secretary of Basingstoke Badminton League from 1986 to 2008.

Trevor was also manager of the Hampshire Badminton first team and served as president of Hampshire Badminton Association from 2010 until his passing.

Even while in hospital he was re-elected to the post in June 2017 for the final time.

Trevor was treasurer of Oakley Community Care Group from 2008, as well as being a coordinator with his wife Jean from 2002 until his death.He was treasurer of the Basingstoke branch of Cancer Research for 21 years. In recognition of his voluntary service to older people, and was awarded a Hampshire Good Neighbour Award in 2012.

Trevor’s funeral will took place on Friday, August 11 at the Basingstoke Crematorium.