Remembering Crosaire's creator

Madam, – I am saddened to read of Crosaire’s death

Madam, – I am saddened to read of Crosaire’s death. As an OAP, my day has been enhanced by trying to solve his crossword, and it has helped me considerably in keeping the “auld grey matter” active. I hope you will continue to include a version each day. You could start at number one again, in memory of Derek Crozier’s wonderful contribution over so many years. He will be missed by all of us aspiring eggheads. – Yours, etc,

W ARTHUR DUTHIE,

Shanganagh Vale,

Loughlinstown, Dublin 18.

Madam, – May I respectfully suggest a fitting epitaph might be “Here lies Crosaire, I.P.R.” – Yours, etc,

JOHN WORRALL,

New Vale,

Shankill,

Co Dublin.

Madam, – I wish to express great sadness and loss at the death of Derek Crozier. Our commiserations go to his son Brian and all the family. What a loss this will be to his many admirers after an incredible period of 67 years in The Irish Times.

You have, no doubt, a certain number of his crosswords still to be published, but after that what will happen? Naturally, many of your readers, like myself, would be extremely disappointed if the cryptic crossword under the name of Crosaire were not continued. Some possibilities spring to mind. 1. His son Brian or another member of the family takes over. 2. Crosswords going back to 1943 are repeated (probably not a good idea). 3. Can they be continued by another Irish crossword producer under the same style and name? – Yours, etc,

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GEORGE McCAW,

Crannagh Road,

Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.

Madam, – To the late and great Derek Crozier, perestace (4,2,5). – Yours, etc,

BRIAN HEGARTY,

Pass Road, Limerick.

Madam, – I, like many many Crosaire fans are deeply saddened by the passing of the great Derek Crozier. However, I think that it would be a fitting tribute to the great man to restart his crosswords from the very first one so that many more people can enjoy the complexities of this extraordinary man’s mind. I have started a group on Facebook “Restart Crosaire from number one” and welcome anyone to join. – Yours, etc,

NIALL KEHOE,

Milltown, Dublin 6.

Madam, – Like hundreds of others, I am so saddened to hear of Derek Crozier's death and my sincere sympathies to his family. He has been with me a long time – I learnt how to do Crosaire 25 years ago from my late mother, Ethna, who had been doing it for over 40 years. Thank goodness The Irish Timeshad the foresight to create an archive of his work, though only going back to 1998.

Your next task must be to backdate Crosaire to 1943 . . . you will acquire many new online subscribers, be assured. – Yours, etc,

CAROLE DEVANEY,

Longford Terrace,

Monkstown, Co Dublin.