Dad Example Funeral Tribute - Stephen

Our Dad Example Funeral Tribute can help you create a touching homage to your loved one.

Thank you everyone for coming. I’m Stephanie and I am Stephen’s daughter. My dad would be delighted to see you all. Can I firstly take this opportunity to say, on behalf of my mum and me, thank you so much for all of your cards, letters and phone calls. They have genuinely brought us a lot of comfort and it’s so lovely to hear all of your memories about my dad.

Right Then (as my dad would say).

I’m going to try to encapsulate a little of who my dad was to me.

One memory that stands out to me is when we were on a family vacation and my dad found a beautiful vase that he wanted to bring back home. Instead of purchasing it and having someone else carry it back, my dad insisted on carrying it himself all the way back, showing his determination and dedication to taking care of things that were important to him.

I also remember my dad's first day at county hall, where he was a senior person. He approached someone to ask a question, but as he spoke, he grew progressively redder and redder, bringing laughter to the room. It was a small moment that showcased his humility and ability to find the humor in any situation.

My dad and mom had a marriage that was truly an inspiration. They couldn't have had a better partnership and the love between them was evident to all who knew them. My mom was the perfect wife for my dad, and together they created a home filled with love and warmth.

In the messages we’ve received about dad, a word that has been used frequently was "integrity," and that is absolutely right. He was a man of great integrity, who instinctively cared about the right things. His values were centered around kindness, generosity, and standing up for what is right. I remember my brother working for his company one summer, and he told me that everyone just liked Dad. He treated everyone with respect and listened attentively, regardless of their position within the company. He had a genuine interest in others, and his fairness and willingness to provide constructive feedback set him apart.

Dad was never afraid to deliver disappointing news, whether it was in the workplace or in personal matters. He understood that it could be difficult, but he genuinely wanted to be helpful and constructive. His sense of justice and understanding of what was right made a lasting impact on those around him. He never shied away from standing up for others, whether it was in an employment dispute or a small claims dispute. He approached these situations with calmness and a sense of justice.

Equality of opportunity was always at the forefront of my dad's principles. I remember him being proud that, during his time in Birmingham, he pushed for and successfully implemented baby changing rooms for dads at Birmingham New Street Station. Looking back, I realize that my interest in social justice, particularly in employment law, was greatly influenced by my dad. His strong sense of justice and fairness shaped my own beliefs and aspirations.

One aspect of my dad that I deeply appreciated was his lack of ego and his refusal to be impressed by superficiality. He valued people based on their character and integrity, just like he would judge a restaurant based on the quality of its food and not on its reviews or reputation. In later years, he even took into consideration the presence of a play area outside the restaurant for his grandchildren, enhancing everyone's enjoyment of the meal.

His love for his grandchildren, who affectionately called him Papa, was immeasurable. He always found activities that would bring joy to their lives and would often take them out for hours at a time. Even for us, he would take the grandchildren away, giving us moments of much-needed respite. He would wake up early in the morning to watch cartoons with them, creating treasured memories for all.

My dad's driving was also a significant part of my memories with him. He would pick up me and my friend Steph during our nights out in Redditch, staying up to wait for our phone call. We thought we were hiding our drunkenness, but one night, we accidentally gave it away during a conversation in the car. From that moment on, my dad would speed down the dual carriageway, sparing us from embarrassment. He had a tendency to point his fingers in the air while driving, which confused other motorists. There was also the time he drove for hours to pick me up from who knows where the morning after a devastating breakup, engaging me in a discussion about the EU to distract me from the pain. When I broke my wrist, my dad even managed to get my car from Tamworth to Redditch for me. He would always fill up my car with petrol and top up the windscreen fluid, without me ever needing to ask or say thank you, as I would only notice when I drove off. I always knew that I could call my dad from anywhere, at any time, and he would somehow find a way to come and pick me up.

My mom recalls a time when they were in the States, driving for five hours from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas, only to realize they had forgotten their passports in the hotel safe. Without hesitation, my dad turned the car around and drove back. He had an amazing ability to handle any situation with a sense of calmness, except, oddly enough, when it came to spiders, which he was genuinely terrified of.

My dad had a great love for sport. He was knowledgeable about every sport, yet remained understated about it. Whether it was cricket, rugby (union and league), or Formula 1, he had wisdom, humility, courage, and justice. As a player, my brother once mentioned that my dad's backhand in tennis was the bane of his life. I can only imagine that if he played golf, he would have had some unorthodox shots that shouldn't have worked, yet proved to be highly effective.

In addition, my dad had an undeniable passion for being involved in sports. He served as a cricket umpire for the Worcestershire women's league and a football umpire. These roles were the perfect fit for him, allowing him to contribute to the sports he loved.

The one thing that wasn't my dad's forte was cooking. Whenever my mom was away for training, we knew that McDonald's or fish and chips would be on the menu. However, his generous nature extended beyond just providing meals. He always ensured that we had the opportunity to pursue our dreams and achieve what we wanted in life.

My dad was so much more than just these individual memories. He was my protector, fiercely loving his family and would do anything for us without hesitation. He was incredibly generous, but never in a showy way. He was the person you wanted on your side, and I will forever be grateful to have always had him by my side.

So, let's remember my dad whenever we eat turkey, and when asked which wine we want, let's say the slow mover – a tribute to his love for life and his humor.

Thank you all once again for being here today to remember and celebrate the life of my dear dad, Stephen.