In the words of Dad, which were inappropriate for most occasions and, in his honour, are likely to get me into trouble here, “there's a distinct pissibolity he got himself in a right mucking fuddle”.

Dad loved making inappropriate speeches at public gatherings... and so from Christenings, 21st Birthdays and to my own Wedding, he thought nothing of taking centre stage to tell a risqué joke or to ask the Lord for help that we may turn the wine back into water...

I'd now like to avoid further controversy and simply remember just some of the things that made Dad so loveable, funny and... grumpy. Often, all at the same time.
His passion for cars included owning a series which any collector would now be proud of. Starting with a Morgan 3 wheeler at 15 he bought, fixed up and sold his way through Jaguars, Daimlers, an Aston Martin and an AC Ace. In 1968 he was member number 1295 of the AC Owners Club.

By the time he had 3 children they'd all been sold but when he said to me that if I didn't get a motor bike he'd help me buy a car, I waited with some excitement for my 17th birthday. You can imagine my ‘surprise’ when a muddy-brown Austin Allegro arrived shortly afterwards.

That horror only increased when a bright Orange version he’d acquired for parts, ended up being moderately better than the original! Whether that was the case by the time I left it for Rob and Caroline a year later is another matter.

Dad said he'd never had an accident, but he clocked up a few driving indiscretions over the years... These included hitting a telegraph pole while still in his 20s – apparently it was the fault of a girl in a short skirt walking up Addiscombe High Street. I’m not sure if she’s here today…?

His devotion to the world of sailing started at the age of 7, and developed as a member of the Sea Cadets in Croydon. But when you add up the number of cross channel trips (2), versus the number of times he replaced or reconditioned a boat engine (about 12) - and the unquantifiable number of hours spent in the yacht club bar - it’s obvious that it was the tinkering and social side of sailing that he really enjoyed most.

A friend reminded me that on a sailing trip to Cowes Week Dad’s advice for the day was “to always to keep one hand free for the boat and one for a drink”.

Dad loved to sing, and he had a fantastic voice. He sang at the Royal College of Church Music in his very early teens but couldn't actually read music – which probably held him back somewhat. He’s most fondly remembered by us 3 kids for the hours of belting out the hits of Dr Hook, Abba and The Beatles while travelling at speeds not recommended for a fully loaded Morris Marina on the way to the South of France!

The rest of you might remember his later repertoire... including an invitation to clean your chimney, For those in Peril... and a variation on the Marseillaise not preferred by the French.

His love for a pint of real ale, his pipe and a natter with locals extended to the purchase of his own pub with Mum in 1996. His enthusiasm for loud music, the same old jokes and bar banter made him a popular Landlord and also helped him acquire the nickname ‘Captain Chaos’ amongst regulars.

A friend in California contacted me to remember an early, mammoth night in the pub. We all woke with extreme hangovers to discover that that was the day of the grand opening, and the party had most definitely started early!

Dad had a tremendous passion and interest in the work of his great Grandfather, the impressionist painter John Peter Russell. Not only because of the hope that one day a 500,000 dollar masterpiece might find its way onto the wall in the lounge, but also because he was fascinated that our ancestry contained such creative talent. Sadly none of us can draw, let alone paint, but he inspired me to think creatively, in business and life in general. I use it as an excuse when I annoy Hannah with a random opinion on the curtain material for our house!

The parties with friends in Croydon, Orchard Lea, Fir Cottage and Chapel Road were legendary... I thought it was perfectly normal as a child to walk into the kitchen at 7am to see one of the neighbours washing up... sometimes in fancy dress.

In later years the parties might have concluded earlier but still with rousing renditions of the songs that won the war or something from Les Mis. The fun also extended to numerous overseas trips and holidays - camping in France in the 80s, UK tours and European capitals plus Italy just last year and the US/Caribbean previously.

He installed in all 3 of us great family values and a knowledge of the importance of always treating people with respect. We had a fantastic childhood. Dad was always loving, forgiving and able to fix whatever we’d broken... from Action Man’s leg to the front bumper of a car (Caroline! And even a rear bumper, Robert?). His enduring love for Mum during over 46 years of marriage is a fine act to follow and he has 3 grand children who adored him.

And finally, Dad’s timing. It’s probably only because it is now out of his hands that Dad wasn't late for his own funeral! And so after a succession of great and brilliant people passed on in 2016, it was with some surprise that he decided to get in early and put himself at the very top of the list of great and brilliant people to pass in 2017!

Dad. We’ll miss your good points. We’ll even miss some of your bad points. Thank you, for being you.