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Service for Mr Thomas Sidney Taylor.
Good morning and welcome to all of you, here to honour, commemorate and pay tribute to the life of Thomas Sidney Taylor, known as Tommy to everyone. Although this is a sad day it is also a day of celebration for a life well lived and loved.
My name is Saffron Batchelor and I am a celebrant for the British humanist association, and it is an honor to be asked to lead the service today.
During the ceremony we will hear Tommy`s tribute and eulogy from his family, some music and poetry. For those of you with religious beliefs there will be time for your thoughts and prayers.
There has never been and never will be anyone in the world like Tommy, but he will always live on in your hearts and memories. He will always remain a member of your family or your circle because he played such a unique part in your lives and he has influenced you all in different ways.
When you lose someone, as close and as important as Tommy was to you, you never lose the comfort of knowing him.
And as long as your memory endures, Tommy`s influence will live on.
So now let’s focus on tommy`s life.
Tommy was born on the 23rd October 1931 in Chorlton on Medlock, Manchester. His parents were Caroline and Sidney and he was brother to the late May, The late Phyllis the late dolly and Lucy.
When Tommy left school he started work as a sheet metal worker, and then at eighteen started his national service, based at old Trafford and also Germany. He was in the catering core and learnt fantastic cooking skills. He always looked back on this time with a real sense of pride.
Following his national service He used these new found skills and worked in a bakery for a while. All the family benefited as they were never short of cakes!
Tommy later worked at Hyde print works for many years. He was highly regarded and made many friends. A best friend was the late Jack souter, they were great friends for many years.
Tommy had a strong work ethic, in fact all throughout Tommy’s working life he was hard working, as well as being known for his integrity and strong sense of responsibility.
When Tommy was a young man he would meet Brenda, the year was 1953.Brenda remembers he was wearing his T.A. Uniform, on the day they first met, and he looked very smart.
They shared a wonderful courtship and married on the 12th march 1955. They were delighted with the arrival of their children Irene, Robert, Gary, Sharon and Mandy.
Theirs was a long, successful and very happy marriage based on deep love and respect and there aren’t many marriages lasting that long or as happy. They shared life’s ups and downs together as a team and were a strong family unit.
The children all have fond memories of growing up with mum and dad. Caravan Holidays to Rhyll in wales was a favourite.
One year Sharon did a handstand inside the caravan and broke the table and also a window. Tommy had to fix it quick before the caravan inspector came!
On Irene’s wedding day she felt so proud to have her dad give her away, He never liked his children to smoke, but he made an exception that day just so she could calm her nerves!
Robert remembers his dad taking him to watch Manchester united when he was young. Sometimes he would sit on his shoulders. These were wonderful glory days, when legends such as George best were playing. Dad would say if they got lost in the crowd to meet at the café at Warwick road that was owned by Brenda`s auntie at the time.
Many years later Sharon remembers taking her dad to the queens to watch the game. She would take him in his wheel chair and he never lost his love of football, and she enjoyed her time with dad. Mandy has a very special memory in recent times of taking her dad to old Trafford to complete the Manchester united tour. They also went to the imperial war museum and Tommy loved it, special memories.
Gary remembers every Saturday after shopping in Hyde they would enjoy a pint together. Tommy always looked forward to it.
Once Tommy took a funny turn and keeled over. A man stepped in and began to put his fingers in his mouth, so he could breathe. “We must clear his false teeth,” He said. Gary said “what are you doing? Tommy does not have false teeth!! All saw the funny side in the end.
A memorable holiday was when Brenda, Tommy and Mandy came to visit Irene and Alan and their family in America.
They decided to try canoeing; they had some giggles along the way. After an adventurous day canoeing, in the heavy rain Tommy stepped out on to some deep sand, and appeared to be sinking. The more he tried to get out the more he sunk. Eventually after much help and coaxing He did get out but was covered in mud!
All the family enjoyed the beach, and Irene said to dad to put sun cream on, and he was not used to the strong Florida weather. Tommy said he would be ok, but then suffered third degree burns on his feet. Irene did resist saying I told you so!
Tommy was proud to see his children grow up happily and successfully. He was also a fantastic father in law to the two Alans, and Karen. They all loved him greatly, and he did them.
Family was the centre of his life and he was so proud to be a granddad to Nikki, Andrew Sarah and John. Also great grandfather to Marqueala and Aaliya.
Tommy had lots of interest over his lifetime. He loved his dog Laddie. He liked to do a crossword with Brenda.
He remained a fan of Manchester united all his life.
He liked the odd bet or two. He had a lovely evening when he visited the dogs with the family at belle Vue recently and was treated like royalty by the staff.
Most of all He enjoyed spending time with his wife and family. That was what gave him the most pleasure, they were his world.
Tommy had amazing qualities. He has been described as having a kind and generous heart. He was a wonderful father and husband, a devoted family man .He was always thinking of others and was community spirited.
He would help anyone who needed it; often neighbours would call if they needed a tool from his famous tool box to help them with their DIY. Mandy remembers her dad taught her to change a plug and do practical things. His children said you could not have wished for a better dad. He was always there for his family.
The family would like to thank Mandy for all her care in recent years. Her kindness and dedication has been very much appreciated but especially by her dad, who often called her if he needed assistance in the night, she was always there for him and is a star. The family would also like to thank Alan for all his amazing support recently.
We will now listen to some music that has been especially chosen for Tommy. Please have a private prayer if you should wish.
MUSIC
Tommy was, without doubt, a good man. He has a family he was proud of and who are equally proud of him. He has been described as being a man who always did the best for the people that he loved.
Please join the family by the graveside for the final part of the service, Thank you.
AT THE GRAVESIDE
My friends we have been remembering with great love, admiration and huge respect, Tommy`s life.
This is a very special place. It is a good place for him to rest and be at peace.
We commit Tommy`s body to the earth which has sustained
And nourished him for so many years
And which regenerates all life.
Tommy will be part of this place for
all time.
Through the warmth of the summer and the cold
Of the winter.
Through the freshness of spring and the mists of autumn.
With much love, great respect and absolute admiration, May you always rest in peace.
I would like to share a poem with you, that we think tommy would of approved of, and I hope it brings you some comfort today.
‘His Smile’
His smile is in the summer
His Grace is in the breeze
He did not leave, he has not gone
‘Tis only we that grieve
It doesn’t take a special day
To bring you to our mind
A day without a thought of you
Is very hard to find
No longer here in our lives to share
But in our hearts you’re always there
The parting and the heartaches
No one can heal
But the memories are for safe keeping which no one can steal
As we bring our ceremony to a close, on behalf of all the family, l wish you well.
Please be comforted by the thought that Tommy is now at peace.
Everyone is welcome at the queens. Keep sharing your memories, and look after each other thank you.