Memories of John

Ian & Su Dalziel

Although I knew Pat when she was a trainee nurse in the 1960s, Su and I did not really get to know John until fairly recently when we would meet up at the Swan Jazz Club in Chaddesley Corbett or on one of the ‘Old Farts’ excursions to a factory or motor museum, and of course, a pub lunch afterwards.

When John was showing the first signs of his illness, Su and I would meet up with Pat and John for an early Friday evening drink in the ‘Shoes. It was during these get-togethers that we learned about John’s interesting life and how knowledgeable he was.

We will miss John and hope that we can resume our Friday evening (and Jazz Club) sessions with Pat when things get back to normal.

Love to Pat, Clare and Tom.

RIP John, a true gentleman.

Alan A. Smith

I knew John very well in the mid 1960s. We worked together very intensively as newly qualified IBMers on the Laxon Wholesale Grocers client and on a very large proposal for Mercian Builders Merchants. This was our first opportunity to test our new skills. John was always very professional and thoroughly reliable. He managed to combine this with a sunny personality, generous, cheerful, polite, considerate but also enjoying a good joke. I remember one particularly stressful episode where he stayed working determinedly on a solution at the client site for 72 hours, only snatching a few hours sleep on a desk or on the floor. I retain great respect for John and regret. his passing

James and Sarah

It is no surprise that so many of these memories focus on John’s generous hospitality. He was an excellent host and the picture of a smiling John opening another bottle of good red wine will always be with us. New Year’s Eve became a particular tradition and going over to the church at midnight to ring the bells, well-oiled after good food and drink, and then toasting the new year with a bottle or two of Champagne, was very special. When we started bell-ringing John was the star pupil! He had learnt as a teenager, and despite a gap of many years, the basics came back very quickly and we could rely on him to provide a steady ‘dong’ around which the rest of us would wobble wildly!
John was a man after James’s own heart in his attitude to DIY. ‘I prefer to earn money doing the things that I am good at, so that I can pay someone else to do the things that they are good at’ is, in James’s opinion, the only sensible approach.
John we will miss you, your smile, your welcome, your interesting views and your quiet good humour.

Alan & Jacqueline Scott

For me the photograph of John at the top of the memories page says it all – a happy man with a beer to hand.
I first met John when he moved to Rugby in the sixties into a shared rented house. He introduced me to the concept of “weekends over” parties on Monday evenings…… and maybe “Mondays over” parties on a Tuesday evenings…..any excuse to go to the pub for a pint!
I have fond memories of our Whitsun week holidays in the hils of Scotland, in Wester Ross and the Isle of Arran where we went for several years……….very thirsty work.
As I relocated to Northern Ireland in the late seventies we did not meet so often but still managed to keep in touch. John & Pat visited us at our holiday house in Girvan and we visited Bellbroughton several times. The last time we met was in Bristol at a lunch to celebrate John & Pat’s Ruby Wedding Anniversary.
I am pleased to have been able to talk to John on the phone a few weeks ago to see how he was faring under Covid conditions
Farewell good friend.

Roger Goo

John and Pat have been loyal, generous and hospitable friends for many years. We probably met John for the first time (as with a number of our other long term friends) at the Duck in Harborne in the days when it was often our home on Friday, Saturday and (probably) Sunday evenings! Over the years, a lot of memories have been gathered. John had many interests and was knowledgeable about many things which meant conversation was always varied and never dull. – especially when with the other Summer Wine walkers. We’ll miss you. RIP

Stewart Reddaway

John and I had a pleasant time sharing a room in Clare Old Court in 61-62. John was 18 months older than me, having, I think, spent time in the RAF. I think the RAF helped finance John’s time at Cambridge, reading engineering. He was still active flying, sometimes going to RAF Hendon, about 20 miles away.

My parents lived in Cambridge, and John sometimes came for Sunday lunch.

John was popular, and he was the only one of us with a car. I remember going North with him on holiday to Scotland.

I think the last time I saw John was at my father’s funeral in 2002. I had always intended to visit Belbroughton more, but it was over 100 miles.

Thank you, Pat, for your note that John had died. I only got it a couple of days ago, as we are currently away from our Ashwell, Herts, home, in the Isle of Man; my wife, Anne, is Manx.

I am sorry, Pat, for your loss. I have good memories of John.

Stewart Reddaway

Chris and Heather Lofthouse

John, one of the most intelligent, knowledgeable and informative men we have known. Always kind and considerate ,smiling right to the end. Along with Pat ,the most hospitable and perfect hosts to those parties and dinners that we were fortunate enough to attend.
(Chris) My memories include being introduced and inducted into the workings ,not always straight forward!, of the Church clock!
Also being allowed ! instructed! nay privileged ,to be taken down into the cellar at number 17 which was the perfect temperature for storing beer and ale. We chose what would be appropriate for the festivities above. Obviously we had to sample a little! before our decision was made to bring it up!
John tirelessly gave his time to support the Church, as church warden ,bell ringer and in many other ways.He also supported other village activities .The latter may well have included The Queens,The Shoes and The Talbot!
A gentleman in every true sense of the word.He will be sorely missed.

Peter Shortell

I remember driving around Cambridge with John in his Singer 9 with pre-selector gear box. When he and Stewart Reddaway shared a room in our third year, overlooking the Fellows Garden, a group of us decided it was the perfect venue for a private dinner. Afterwards we strolled out on to the bridge and one of the cigar smokers threw his stub into the river. It was promptly pounced on by a duck. For a brief moment there was a duck apparently smoking a cigar – but nobody had a camera.
In later years I remember John at one of our 10-year reunions. We strolled back to our rooms in Mem Court reminiscing about the old days. Looking back that was probably the last time I saw him, though of course we did not know that at the time.
For the day of his wedding, John suggested a few of us might like to meet up first at a local pub. We were surprised to find that John was there himself. Rosemarie appreciated the choice of venue since it was one of the few pubs that sold coffee in those far off days.
Our condolences to the family – another one of the good guys gone to rest.

Kirsty

A little poem for you John.
The angels looked down from heaven one night.
They searched for miles afar,
And deep within the distance
They could see a shining star.
They knew that very instant
That the star was theirs to gain,
So they took you up to heaven,
Forever to remain.
Look down on us from heaven.
Keep us free from hurt and pain.
You’ll always be within my heart
Until we meet again.

From the first day I met you as our caring days begun I felt I became a member of your family always a smile and a giggle with you and Pat always in my heart.

Condolences to Pat Tom and Clare thoughts are with you all today xxxx