Missing you today Dad on what would have been your 89th birthday. Although you are no longer with us in person, you’re always there in spirit. Love you lots. Sue

Tribute by Paul Saying goodbye to my dad today is one of the toughest things I’ve done. So, on behalf of myself and all the family, I would like to thank you all for coming here to celebrate Dad’s life. Dad was a truly remarkable man, and it shows how much of an impression he made on everyone he met as there are so many of you here to pay your respects. Dad said to me quite often over the last few months that he was OK if the worst happened, as he’d had a good innings, a good life and no regrets. It is difficult for me to put into words how much we loved and appreciated everything he did for us as a family. Mum has said that she could never have wished for a better husband in all the 68 years they were together. Dad was proud of his family and was always there for us, being kind and with wise words when we had a problem. When he was younger Dad went to the hairdresser and he was told that he had a double crown and would never want for anything in life. This was true according to him, perhaps apart from all the times I borrowed something and forgot to return it. Everyone here will have lots of different memories of the man I called Dad. But most people will remember him for always being cheerful and happy, singing and humming songs and smiling to everyone he met. He always had a kind word for everyone and would try to help people if he could. He would always recite phrases: a few of which I would like to share (although I’m sure you’ve heard them before!). One he used to say to us a lot at dinnertime was: “A wonderful bird is a pelican; it’s beak can hold more than its belly can. It can hold in its beak, enough for a week, I wonder how the Hell he can.” “The Mighty Oak Don’t worry if you work hard and your rewards are few, remember how the mighty oak was once a nut like you.” He was the youngest of 9, born and raised in Wymondham. At 14 he was Head Boy at school. At 15 he gained an apprenticeship at International Stores as a trainee grocer, something he turned out to be very good at as he was so good with people. At 18 he did two years national service in the RAF and then returned to the store. He was soon promoted to Store Manager and moved around the country. After 18 years travelling he settled back in Roydon and opened the Diss store. An old manager told him when he started “when success turns your head you are facing the wrong way”. Dad’s character was on show in the store as he would rather be on the shop floors – stacking shelves and packing people’s shopping. His customer service was very well received and earned him such a good reputation with the shop thriving and customers returning. He would say “don’t ask anyone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. Always talk to everyone on the same level, not looking down on them or having them looking up at you and people will respect you more”. This was his philosophy. A former colleague of Dad’s wrote a letter to thank him. He said: “You dispensed wisdom, encouragement, kindness and guidance with such humility that was always helpful and never harsh. You taught me so much about human behaviour, how to manage people and situations, and without exception your understanding of people’s personalities and behaviour is the most insightful and gifted of anyone I have ever met. In business you set the highest professional standards for leadership and led by example, always being one of the hardest working of peers or superiors. The respect and admiration you have always been held in by so many people is so deserved. You have lived your life as an example to us all, of everything that is good in mankind. I thank God I met you and I was privileged to call you my friend, I will be eternally grateful.” At 57 Dad retired from International then embarked on a change, working at Rackham’s, then Parfitt’s, for 25 years. He loved his job and continued there until he was 80. Dad enjoyed his hobbies of painting and woodworking and was very talented at both. He and Mum also loved football and watching it with their grandsons. The last few years had been spent helping look after Mum as her mobility deteriorated and Dad took charge of most of the household duties which tested his patience to the limit. He often felt he was talking to himself as Mum couldn’t hear him. He still loved his trips to the supermarket, where he would always meet people he knew and could have a good chat. Last summer, Dad was very ill and admitted to hospital. Looking back, I now feel lucky to have had that time alone visiting him. The surgeon called to say Dad was not very well and might not make it through surgery, so I had to say my goodbyes. Afterwards, Dad said he asked for the Lord’s help and the Lord came. He found it funny as the surgeon was called Mr Lord. Amazingly Dad pulled through and as he got better he was soon telling all the nurses and patients stories about his life and helping them with words of wisdom and all the funny stories I had heard throughout my life. When he was discharged, after 5 weeks, the nurses were in tears and so upset, and for me it summed Dad up. The impression he had made on people, in such a short space of time. During his recovery, he told me his two best friends helping him through this were Will Power and Percy Vere. One of his favourite poems I would like to share is: The more you give, the more you get The more you laugh, the less you fret The more you do unselfishly, the more you give abundantly The more of everything you share, the more there’ll always be to spare The more you do, the more you’ll find That life is good, and friends are kind The more of everything you give, enriches every day you live. What a great man you were, and I am so grateful you were my dad. You will be sorely missed by us all. But you will live on in our happy memories. Goodbye Dad!

DOUGIE FRESH By Paul Lester. Be brave,stand tall,stay strong. Through prayer, hymn,speech and song. As you carry dads coffin two brothers & son. The weight of your loss must feel like a ton. The man you carry, husband,dad, grandad & friend. Worth his weight in gold,to God we send. His time with you all,like a tale in a book. One of a good man,so worth a look. With sorrow and sadness time to say goodbye. As he flys with the angels way up in the sky. He will be missed and remembered as your days come & go. We're here for man hugs when you feel low. If you are feeling down & want a chat. I'll bring laughter,stupidity and act a pratt. Hope it goes well today,I've got your back. Anyone annoys you,I'll give them a wack.