A SALISBURY parachutist has been remembered for his passion for sports and amazing cooking.

Mark Rogers died on April 30 after losing his "courageous" battle with cancer. He was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer on November 2015.

His family said: "During his illness he was brave, courageous, and strong, always believing that he could beat it. He continued, as much as he could, to spend time with friends and loved ones, having a joke and creating precious memories. Sadly he lost his fight but with dignity until the end. He will be very sorely missed."

The 56-year-old was born in Mountain Ash but his parents moved to Salisbury when he was very young. He had three siblings, David, Annie and Gareth.

As a teenager he worked at Salisbury Race Course, Tesco and Dunns Seeds and in his spare time played every type of sport going.

He competed for Wiltshire in squash, rugby and trampolining.

His family said rugby was a "huge passion" for Mark, who started playing for Salisbury from the age of 15 until he was into his mid 40s. He spent two years as director of rugby at Salisbury RFC.

When he was 20, Mark joined the RAF and passed out as top overall student. He became an instructor in all manner of outdoor activities, including parachuting, and spent three years on the Falcons display parachute team.

In 2000 Mark returned to Salisbury where he met Karen whom he had known previously and together they bought Rokeby Guest House which they ran together for 15 years together.

Between them they have three children, Alan, Karalyn and Drew. Sadly he missed seeing his and Karen’s first grandchild Oscar Mark Thomas by just two days.

His family said: "He loved to climb mountains, ski down them, swim, and attend Salisbury Races, and in recent years cycled many miles with the Legendary Fat Blokes on Bikes here in Salisbury. He was also an amazing cook, presenting beautiful meals at the drop of a hat."

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About 500 people attended a funeral service held at St Thomas's Church last Thursday. There was also a special flypast in his honour and a parachute display by the Red Devils Army display team at Salisbury RFC.