Since I drafted them on the computer, I thought I'd post my notes for my father's eulogy.
My father lived a life of service to others and I would like to share some of
the highlights of that life, and in particular the positive difference
he made in others' lives.
He was called up in 1939 and served first in the King's Liverpool Regiment.
Following training in Gibraltar he made use of his prior experience as a
cinema projectionist offering training and entertainment to troops not only in
barracks in the UK, but also in North Africa and Italy. Far from being a
safe behind the lines job, this often involved service just behind the front
lines, helping keep the morale of the troops up with entertainment. In one
of his anecdotes, he even ended up between the German and British lines
with his lorry full of equipment.
After the war he became a teacher, working in Liverpool, Oldham and the Wirral.
He started as a science specialist in secondary schools and this was one
of the influences in my life which has led me to become a working researcher
and teacher of science at University. He moved from secondary to primary
education, where he met my mother, of course. Through thirty years as a teacher
he improved the lives of thousands of children with his strict but fair
discipline, his enthusiasm for teaching and his example of honest dealing
with all around him.
In addition to the difference he made to the children he taught, he
supported his teaching colleagues in numerous ways. Most formally,
he was an active trade unionist in the NAS/UWT including serving
term as as branch president of first Wallasey and then the combined
Wirral branches. His unfailing good humour and keen insight into
people, together with unfailing honesty, made him a core figure
in the schools in which he worked.
Following his retirement from teaching in 1978, he did not stop
his service to the community, taking up a political career spanning almost
two more decades. From local party activities he moved on to stand as
a candidate in several unwinnable seats, believing good candidates should
stand in the strongholds of other parties, if only to keep them honest
and to show the voters in that constituency that being in the minority
did not mean their voices could be ignored. Finally in 1987 he was
elected as a Conservative councillor for New Brighton. In two terms
as councillor he again made a positive difference in the lives of hundreds,
maybe thousands, of individuals, though his tireless work on council
committees. He became an expert on planning regulations and environmental
protection issues, and applied his vast teaching experience to education
matters on the council. All the while he sorted out problems for individuals
in his constituency, and others within Wirral. He also served on the
oversight bodies of Liverpool University, St Katherine's Teacher Training
college and a number of local schools.
When he stepped down in 1995, after two terms as a councillor his energy
and enthusiasm for life allowed him to enjoy his final retirement decade
with his wife. They travelled the world together, enjoying the sights.
He returned to Gibraltar, cruised the Med and the Caribbean and fulfilled a
long held desire to visit the island paradise of Hawaii. He was able to spend
time with his grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great great
grandchildren, and give of his wisdom and humour for yet more generations of
children. He maintained contact with his brothers and sisters, even visiting
those in America, encouraging contact between all branches of the family.
He will be missed, but remembered with love and respect by his family and
friends. He lived a full life, and a life full of service.
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