So many memories of my dear brother Mike. From a very early age his passion was always sport. Kicking a ball on the park, in goal, coming home covered in mud. He loved it. He also was brilliant at table tennis, bringing home trophies on a regular basis. Mike and Dad loved playing cricket, just the two of them, in the yard with their roars of laughter making so much noise that the neighbours complained! Mike’s love of football continued throughout his life. As a keen Ipswich Town season ticket holder Mike liked nothing more than discussing their latest performance with whoever was willing to listen. Football was something he could talk about forever! Mike loved darts and snooker too, always with Dad, who he adored.
He travelled the World whilst in the Royal Navy, coming home on leave, always with a different accent and story to tell. Mike was excited to visit so many different countries. The Navy played such a big part in Mike’s life.
As he grew older, Mike developed a deep love for Art and History and soon became very knowledgeable. His enthusiasm for the subject was infectious, and, after 8 years of hard graft, Mike was rewarded with an Open University honours degree.
More recently Mike hosted many games evenings with his family. We normally ended up playing one particular game, with Mike always as the scorer, and lots of chuckling and muttering heard above the crunching of pork scratchings. To everyone’s amusement rules, memory and scoring accuracy seem to decline throughout the evening as the wine flowed.
Mike always loved his family dearly, they meant everything to him, and they gave him great joy!  This love was greatly strengthened when, in later life, he found faith as a practicing Catholic. Mike lived a full life, and we will miss him forever. Rest in Peace.