My Dad, Alan Douglas Spurr, died recently aged 86 years.  He died peacefully in his sleep on 23rd February 2013 at Hayward House Hospice in Nottingham City Hospital.

His funeral was on 13th March at Bramcote Crematorium.  We have asked for family flowers only, with any donations anyone would like to make to go to Hayward House.

I've added pictures of the Order of Service for the funeral in the photos section.  Here's the text of the eulogy from me (Richard Spurr)...

I’d like to share with you what Alan, my Dad, was to me, how I saw him, and how I remember him.

Without doubt Dad was a man of great honour.  A true gentleman.  Hard-working, caring and loving.

He always strove to do his best and be a good friend to everyone he met.

He could be a bit over trusting of others at times, which is not really a bad quality if you think of it. 

Most of all, Dad was content and at peace with himself – confident of who he was and able to enjoy the moment.

Let’s be frank, some who didn’t know him that well may of thought him a little boring.  But dig below the surface and there was a more colourful character.

Like most people who have lived a long & full life, Dad has had a number of ups & downs.

He’s shared his life with a wide range of people, some more helpful than others.  And I was fortunate to share much of Dad’s life with him, living with him though many of the more interesting times.

And while he may of seemed to most to be mild mannered, trust me, he sure had a temper! Something I’ve definitely inherited – thanks Dad!

As Dad got towards retirement he was lucky to find Sue.  These last 28 years have been good to Dad.  My hard-working Dad always looked forward to a quiet & happy retirement – we used to joke with him that he was born with carpet slippers on!  And in Sue he found that special someone to share this happy and rewarding part of his life with.

One of my most frequent memories of Dad is walking with him in the woods behind the pub, just enjoying the world about us and letting time drift by as we walked.

But it’s the funny things that tend to stick in the mind.  And like most of us, Dad had some amusing quirks.  Putting sugar in the fridge & milk in the cupboard, the way he became a grinning statue as soon as a movie camera was pointed at him!

Beth reminded me how he would insist on putting salt in already ready-salted crisps, and Sam’s lasting impression was of Dad’s many stories.  How he would tell the same story over & over – who hasn’t heard by now how I took the fire apart when I was young?!

And don’t get me started on Dad’s driving, which can only be described as slow but weirdly scary.

But what I remember most is, though all his life my Dad has always been there for me, trying his best to do what was right for me, even when it was bad for him.

Alan, my Dad, thank you for being you.  You taught me more than you may of realised, and I’m proud to call you Dad.

Now I’d like to read the words Sue would like me to say to Dad on her behalf...

I reach out for your hand, and you are not there.

Thank you for the 28 years we shared together.

We achieved a lot, and you will always be in my heart.

I miss you so much.

Dad, we love you and we’ll miss you.

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