Whilst his life was cut short he influenced a huge number of people, not least his immediate family, Cath, Katherine, Emma, Brianna and Eve, his mam Norah, brothers Austin and Sean, pupils at St Aidan's where he spent the majority of his teaching career and his friends from St Thomas Aquinas and St Aidan's.

Doc lived near the sea front at Roker for the majority of his life. He loved the beach, regularly playing football on the beach, canoeing and sun bathing on Sunderland's Costa Del Sol, the Cat and Dog Steps.

Before and subsequent to his death a lot of money was raised for Macmillan Nurses via a football tournament in his name, which is happening again this summer.

Towards the end of his life he expressed a wish to have a memorial bench, overlooking the sea at Roker. The council charge a not insignificant £2,600 to install the memorial bench and cover the 10 year maintenance plan costs. For anyone who knew Doc and misses him greatly, this is an opportunity to do something to remember him by.