We Lose John Wellington

John “Duke” Wellington, co-founder of the Columbia College RFC and of the Old Blue RFC, aged 81years, passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2015, after a protracted period of convalescence from a series of debilitating strokes.

John was introduced to rugby in 1959 by classmate Bill Smith, both Columbia College Class of 1957. Billy, fresh out of the US Army and a writer at the NY Times, had learned of the game from a coworker and he and John bean to play this exciting game with the Westchester RFC. These two alumni soon discussed their intention to start a club at their alma mater.