Their first meeting

Decency, reliability, honour, dignity, respect: these are all qualities that my father not only held in high esteem, but practised every day during his time on this earth. He was a dependable disciplined man, who loved spending time with family & friends. He would regal them with stories from his life, history & the news. He saw a lot during his lifetime: moving from the slums of Manchester, a world ravaged by World War 2, doing National service in the 1950's, and an uncertain world with the Cold War & big economic changes. He forged his path to make the move from the Bank to qualify as a lecturer. He started at South Trafford college when it opened & spent his whole working life there. After his death a card arrived from a lecturer he mentored & they recounted how kind & witty he had been during their training, a real testament to the kind of man that he was that they still sent a card half a century later. Despite me not being the perfect student or the best behaved daughter, my father always remained patient. He accepted me for who I was. We spent many hours bird watching, planting, visiting his mum whilst mum cared for Colin. In his old age found ways to stay attuned to all the changes around him, learning to use a computer, which was amazing given that he still preferred to read the newspaper over reading it online. I can only hope to be that inspiring for my children & grandchildren Dad was an only child, who lived in Sale most of his life, though his happiest times were probably in Fairbourne. His mother devoted her life to looking after his disabled father, him & his uncle. Dad more than repaid her when she became frail, when anything cropped up she'd just say "our Ronnie will sort it out", which he did. His courtship & marriage to Iris led to many happy years together. They gathered friends & relatives around them for many occasions, Dad was the reliable washer up afterwards, happily doing it & listening to the radio. Unfortunately their time together was cut short before they could enjoy retirement together. When I met Mark & married I began to understand my father in new way. The bond him & Mum had was inspirational. They made such an amazing team, dealing with such difficult things as Colin's increasing medical problems, Iris's serious heart condition & nursing Iris's Dad for many years. After mum died he went on to prove himself the most devoted grandfather and dear friend to Auntie May. They spent so much time doing the mundane & pleasurable together. He tirelessly battled for Colin to have the best life possible. He was brave enough to ask for help when Colin received his terminal diagnosis. As a father, he was often happiest when left to his own devices; whether it was pottering in the garden, reading a newspaper, or washing his car. He adored driving, and loved nothing more than jumping in the car and driving for some little errand. Though maybe browsing car auction catalogues & going to the auction actually beat driving. More often than not, he wouldn't be gone for that long, but admitted that he loved driving so much, he looked for any excuse to have a spin. His golfing hobby resumed on retirement. Him & his friends played so many different courses. Dad loved it but was infuriated by it in equal measure. Dad was a straightforward man who demanded little from those around him, and who wanted only the best for his two children & three grandchildren. Provided he heard regularly from us – and saw us whenever possible – he was content. And although in his final years, the grandchildren were off in different places building their own lives, that bond was never broken. They were the first thing he'd ask about when we spoke and he was so interested in everything they did. To me, Dad’s finest quality was his patience: an inherent ability to listen, to absorb and to offer a point of view based on quiet, measured wisdom. He had such changes during his life, both positive & negative, he dealt with these with such grace and fortitude. It’s been difficult him not being around but we are all glad that he isn't isolated & suffering anymore. Gabriel won't remember meeting him & Hannah didn't get to meet him but they will both be told all about him. He felt his life was complete with the coming of the next generation. It’s strange to think that we can't go around on a Sunday afternoon for a brew & Mark have a discussion of the latest rugby or football. Dad lived a long and happy life, and only succumbed to ill health right at the very end. He was a reassuring presence we all valued during difficult times. As we gather here today to remember and commemorate his life, let bid him farewell as we mourn the loss of a kind, intelligent, dignified soul. A soul that brought joy and fulfilment to many, and whose legacy will live on with us