Vale – Peter David Atkinson

2 January 1942 – 18 September 2015

Peter a proud Men of League member passed away at his Umina Beach home. He was born in the heartland of the South Sydney Rugby League District where he quickly made a name for himself as a gifted sportsman through his exploits as a cricketer, swimmer and most importantly a rugby league player through his primary/ high school days and playing with the then strong Chelsea United Junior Rugby League Football Club in the South Sydney Junior Rugby League competitions.

Peter was a gifted winger, fullback and centre who possessed lightning speed and tremendous strength. He soon became known as a try scoring machine in a very formidable and unbeatable Chelsea United teams competing from under 16 years upwards often playing in the senior A grade team as a 17/18 years old. In one game Peter scored 8 tries equalling the Chelsea United Club’s long standing record. In 1960 at the age of 18 years old he was graded with the South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club where he played in the third and Reserve Grade teams. Close on Peter’s heels was his younger brother Barry, a second rower, who was also a gifted rugby league player who captained many victorious Chelsea United teams whilst playing in the premiership winning South Sydney Presidents Cup teams from 1961 to 1964 (was Captain in 1963 & 1964) before advancing to a distinguish playing career with the South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club in 1964.

In 1961 Peter transferred to the Canterbury Bankstown District Rugby League Football Club and became the club’s 270th first grade player when he made his first grade debut on the 21 May 1961 against St. George; he went onto to play another 5 first grade games 1st in 1961 and remained at the club until 1963 playing in 38 grade games as a winger/second rower.

Upon retiring from grade rugby league Peter returned to his old Chelsea United Club and became involved in coaching and committee activities over many years and in recent years embraced the formation of the Chelsea Old Mates and it’s concept of supporting the welfare of old playing mates/officials. Peter was made a Life Member of the Club for services rendered over many years.

Sadly Peter’s wife Sally passed away a few years ago and he never was the same after this tragic loss.

Peter will be dearly missed by his 2 daughters Leanne and Donna and their families including grandchildren, his brother Barry and wife Lorraine and their family plus the countless mates that he made throughout his remarkable life.

Peter’s funeral service will be held at the Palmdale Crematorium Palmdale NSW on Friday 25 September 2015 at 1.30pm.