Chris and I met at Halcyon Lodge and remained friends for many years. He was easy to talk to and very entertaining.  As our accountant he gave very sound advice and my wife and I felt safe in his hands.
We shall miss our talks with Chris on the telephone and hearing his views on everything. He will be a hard act to follow.
Ian and Iris Leighton

Chris was my accountant over the last 11 years and excellent at what he did. Chris guided both my business and my wife's business through good and turbulent times and I respected and admired his dedication to carry on.

Chris and I would meet up for lunch and speak quite frequently on the phone about all manner of things over the years, tax aside. I used to enjoy chatting with him about "different times" as he would call them, many far too voluminous to list here, but as I recall he decided to celebrate on passing his Accountancy exams by driving across the continent with Tessa, travelled to the city everyday to work via motorcycle, then in his spare time trained to become a qualified mechanic to service his Morris Minor. Marvellous!

After viewing the tributes and wonderful photographs here everything becomes more transparent. We would always ask how each others respective families were and it became evident that Chris had a great love for Tessa, his four sons, his grandchildren and as I recall his beloved mother.

I considered Chris a friend, over the years he made me feel that way as he genuinely cared and the feeling was mutual.

I will miss Chris and remember him with great fondness and gratitude.

Chris was my accountant for two small businesses I had over several years. He was initially recommended to me by a former colleague who said he was a tax magician, and also an engaging and trustworthy person. I felt I was in brilliant hands as soon as Chris started looking after my accounts. He supported me professionally and personally, in success and failure. In time, I recommended Chris to a friend who had just started his own company. Chris made a huge difference to this business and I was so pleased to have made this happy connection. I remember Chris as being unerringly supportive and patient – a brilliant professional and a special person. I’d like to offer condolences to Chris’s family and express my gratitude too, for having known such a kind and exceptional man.

Chris was exceptionally good company; how many other accountants could recite Kipling's Ballad of the Cars (faultlessly, from memory), discuss the respective merits of Bentley versus Bugatti, or compare memories of continental road trips over the course of a long and convivial lunch? I shall miss his good humour, his patient guidance in matters financial and his generosity.

Chris was my accountant for 21 years and it was always a pleasure to speak to him, passing the time of day, putting the world to rights and enjoying his stories. He was more than just my accountant, I had built up a lovely friendship with him over the years and will miss him dearly.

I remember the day when I met Chris. I had made an appointment and it was at his home. I cannot remember who opened the door but on stepping into the hallway this rather commanding voice beckoned me into the living room. There was Chris sitting in a chair one leg on a stool, barefooted, his trouser pulled up to the knee. Like Churchill in his bath tub he proudly announced he had a touch of gout and with a twinkle in his eye said, "It's a sign of good living", I knew from that moment I had found my accountant.
Over 25 years Chris advised me and helped guide my business. He delighted in my success and supported me in my failures. Chris was a fine, sweet man and a dear friend. Without him I wonder if my life would have been the same, I think not and now without him I feel less strong. I will miss him and I wish I had the opportunity to express my gratitude to him.
He loved his family, his pride for his sons and grandchildren was openly expressed. It has been a privilege to have shared a small part of this exceptional man.

Chris was one of the most interesting people I have ever met. He was very well-read and always had a memorable story or anecdote to share. He combined being very intelligent and good at what he did with a truly larger-than-life personality. He is one of those people who it is impossible to imagine is no longer with us. He took a great interest in my charity work in Sri Lanka and for many years sponsored a little girl, Dilmi, whose father died in the Tsunami. It was typical of his generous nature. You always came away from a meeting with Chris feeling that you had learnt something and the warmth of his personality stayed with you. He will be greatly missed.

Chris was one of our oldest friends and we will miss him very much. We have shared so many happy times since youth club days together with Tessa and sons

I had the pleasure of meeting Chris when he came up to Manchester to viisit the family. He was always very affable and excellent company.
Wishing all the family a long life and may they all be spared further sorrow for many years to come

Chris was a fantastic colleague. Nothing was too much trouble and he supported me in my role regularly. He always asked about my children and he always showed true concern, care and compassion in everything.
I am proud to have visited him at home where we shared fresh bread rolls and cheese and discussed the difference in barms/ breadcakes and scufflers whilst laughing at the North/South divide and the language difference.
I will forever be grateful for the time I shared with him and I send my deepest condolences to all of his loved ones at this time.

Chris was a larger than life character. Always interested in what we were doing. Loved his food and enjoyed cooking and chatting about food with me. Over the past year he has regularly phoned for a chat and a catch up. It has been hard during lockdown to keep in touch or pop in. So many memories too many to share. I have to say full of admiration that he was still running his business even during the past year. He would also check that I was up to speed with the latest laws on furlough or Self employed Income support even though he was not my accountant. He will be greatly missed.