Family tribute
Created by Colin one year ago
Good afternoon. I am Colin, Michael’s youngest son. I am here to pay tribute to Dad on behalf of all his family - our Mum Sylvia, my brothers Graham and Ian and sister Sue. Also grandchildren Peter and Emily, Kelly and Sabrina, Roxy and Connor, Laura and Sophie; great grandchildren Violet, Luca and Boe, and our extended family members and friends.
Mum and Dad bought the house next door to this fine church in the 1960’s. We thank this local community in Stody, Hunworth and around the area for your presence here today, and for the friendship and support you have shown Mum and Dad over so many years. We also know that we can count on that to continue for Mum in the days to come.
Although Mum and Dad spent many years overseas in Africa, this has always been home for us, and we carry so many happy memories of our family times together here.
Dad had many wonderful qualities, but he was terrible at some things. He was hopeless at remembering the names of his grand daughters, and eventually resorted to calling them all “Duckie” which was a source of great amusement to them.
He was terrible at driving from point A to point B without announcing as soon as you had got into the car that we’d also be stopping at points C and D, to drop off a pamphlet or borrow some tools from an unsuspecting neighbour.
Dad was useless at domestic chores - as Mum will surely testify. Cooking, washing up, and tidying away were all a mystery to him. He was more likely at these times to be found in his den, catching up on correspondence or listening to the classical music he loved so dearly.
Dad loved to go out in his old sailing boat, but he was not a great sailor. We entered the Blakeney regatta, finished last and ended up being towed back in by the umpires boat to avoid being stuck out at sea against the receding tide. But on the way back, Dad would recall what a great adventure we had enjoyed and how we had triumphed in the face of adversity.
Dealing with adversity was one of the many things Dad was great at. You had to be if you were looking to get things done in the tricky circumstances of post colonial Africa. Time and time again, he took on challenges that many considered to be impossible, but got the job done.
Passion, perseverance, positive thinking, integrity, humility, humour. These were some of the traits that made Dad stand out. He had outstanding leadership qualities and quickly earned the respect and admiration of those he worked with.
Dad was a family man too. He was always there for his children, with a keen interest in what we were up to and how we were doing. We knew we were truly loved and we loved him back too.
Dad understood that we were part of a bigger clan with a fascinating history and a future which would follow him after his passing. He spent many hours researching a family tree dating back many generations to trace the roots and history of our family. He was often the instigator of family activities and happy reunions.
Dad had faith in God. A quiet, understated, unshowy sort of faith. He saw God’s work being done through the many projects he led during his time, building schools and equipping hospitals. He saw God’s glory in a ray of sunlight through the clouds, the bright yellow of a clump of daffodils, or a spectacular African sunset. At these times, Dad would let out a gentle sigh and say “Isn’t that wonderful?” You knew he wasn’t really talking to you, but more to his God to acknowledge his power and glory.
Dad life was a full one. He was born in 1932, son of Clement and Winnie. His early years were spent in Yakusu mission station in the Belgian Congo.
In 1953 he met mum at West Ham central mission. They were engaged in 1954 and married in April 1955. Of course, after nearly 70 years together, the story of Dad’s life is the story of Mum’s life too. Mum, you have spent much of your life walking 5 paces behind Dad. Although Africans often saw this as a mark of tradition and respect, the reality is that Dad in motion was pretty hard to keep up with - especially when he was 6’3” and you are somewhat less tall.
But 5 paces behind has been a good spot from which to observe, reflect and offer wise counsel at the end of the day. And while Dad earned the respect and affection of African people, it was you too who earned their trust and love. Nothing that Dad achieved would have been possible without you by his side.
Dad studied at Christs College Cambridge. He was a talented oarsman, and in 1953 and 1954 was close to being selected for the Cambridge crew for the boat race, but just missed out both times. Although dad must have been hugely disappointed, he recorded this in his scrapbook with just one comment: “A pity”.
After leaving university, Dad served a short commission in the RAF. Then Africa called. Dad’s work in Africa spanned more than 30 years. His first teaching post was in Nigeria and he then went on to be the headmaster at Magamba school in Tanzania and St Mark’s, Mpelembe, Chengelo and Lechwe schools in Zambia.
Dad also worked as a radio producer, broadcasting english language programmes for students across Zambia.
He led the Churches Medical Association in Zambia, helping mission hospitals to get the resources they needed to deliver essential health services in remote areas.
In between his trips to Africa, Dad taught languages at Greshams school, led the Africa Evangelical Fellowship, worked as a financial advisor, and as the Parish Clerk for Stody and Hunworth.
That’s quite a career. I don’t have the time to cover it all today, but luckily for us I don’t have to, as in his later life Dad found the time to write and publish his autobiography. It’s called “Through Many Toils and Snares” and it’s available on Amazon. We will have some copies available at the reception.
Our family have been so grateful and moved to see the many comments and stories about Dad’s life from his former pupils, colleagues and friends - from schools and mission hospitals across Zambia and beyond.
You will hear some of these tributes in a moment from John Symonds. To these former pupils and colleagues we say: thank you for your loving testimonies. Through your lives, your achievements and your witness, you leave a legacy which honours our father Michael.
Nkosi Sikelel iZambia. Nkosi Sikelel iAfrica.
God bless Zambia. God bless Africa.
Dad passed away peacefully on Remembrance Sunday. He wasn’t a soldier who fought and died bravely in a war. But he was a Christian warrior who devoted his life to inspiring and leading so many others to fulfill their own potential and to succeed in their lives. That’s a cause truly worth fighting for.
Dad - you walked tall wherever you went. You inspired so many people and worked so hard to make the world a better place.
Our hearts are broken in grief at your passing. We mourn together as we come to terms with our loss. We will miss you so much. We remember together the love, friendship and warmth you bought to those around you. We celebrate your life and the memories we will hold so dear of our time together with you.
You go now to be in the arms of the God you served so well.
Your life was truly a life well lived.