John Snr was also a founder member of Europro Golf Centres, a buying group which had 20 franchised shops at its peak.
Alan Walker, a PGA Master Professional and former PGA captain, was a member of the group and recalls the high esteem in which John was held. He said: “I can remember many a time when I went to a buying group meeting and would be only too pleased to listen to the few words he spoke. There weren’t many, but what he said was pure common sense. He was small in stature but powerful in his approach to the golfing world. He had a strong business acumen and was highly respected.”
John was hugely supportive of a range of local and national charities throughout his life, and through various golf days and sponsored events succeeded in raising over £3m for worthy causes and organisations, including Helen Ley, Warwick Museum, TNT/Wooden Spoon,, Coventry Rugby Club Foundation and Leamington Spa Rotary and Fight for Sight and Great Ormond Street Hospital. The support for GOSH was inspired was by the treatment that, spanning 15 years, the couple’s son, Johnny, received after he was born with Apert’s Syndrome, a genetic defect leading to anomalies in the hands, feet and cranium.
PGA chief executive Robert Maxfield said: “Despite his success in business, John never lost sight of the need to help the less fortunate, hence the remarkable amount he helped raise for good causes. He was clearly ahead of his time as a golfing retailer and his success in that field coupled with owning and running a thriving golf club made for a fulfilling and very full career. His passing is a huge loss to the Association, his businesses, those he helped and, above all, his family.”
John is survived by Cherry, his wife, son Johnny, daughter Pippa, and Berry, his granddaughter.
The John Reay Golf Centre was closed on Monday to allow staff to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and attend Reay’s funeral, which was attended by over 400 family and friends.
