LOCAL businessman John Nike passed away on Christmas Day.
The Bracknell Bees revealed the news in a statement on its website.
Mr Nike was the chairman of the Nike Group of Companies, which includes the ice rink in Bracknell, a builders’ merchants and the Coppid Beech Hotel.
He is also a familiar face in Wokingham – in his capacity as Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire, he was a regular at events including the Wokingham Winter Carnival and the Wokingham Art Show at St Paul’s Church, where he could often be seen supporting local artists by buying their work.
In their statement, the Bracknell Bees paid tribute to Mr Nike, praising his support for the club.
“Under Mr Nike’s Chairmanship the club won four League championships, four Cup championships and a Playoff championship,” they said.
“The Bracknell Bees players, staff, management and volunteers, who were all deeply saddened by the news, all wish to extend their deepest sympathies to Mr Nike’s wife Sue, his family, friends and employees at this time.”
Originally from Devon, Mr Nike moved to Bracknell in 1964 where he worked for a garden centre. From 1967, he developed land around Amen Corner, opening dry ski facilities in 1985, ice skating in 1987 and the Coppid Beech Hotel in 1993.
He has also expanded his leisuresport business, running dry ski slopes in Chatham, Llandudno, Plymouth and Swadlincote.
And he has been a keen supporter of the community, funding the John Nike Athletics Stadium at the Bracknell Sport and Leisure Centre in 1984, The John Nike Lecture Theatre in the Agriculture Building at the University of Reading in 2000, The John Nike Digital Suite at South Hill Park in Bracknell in 2004 and The John Nike Dance Studio at The Brakenhale School in Bracknell in 2011.
His support for the local community was recognised in 2002, when he was made an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list.
At the time, he told BBC News: “I am very pleased the work I do for the community was thought worthy of an honour.”
His appointment as Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire came in 2005, while he was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Bracknell Forest in 2013.
