We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Richard, who died unexpectedly on Sunday the 20th of September 2020, aged 71 years. A much loved Dad, Grandad, Brother and Husband; he will be greatly missed by family and friends. 

Despite the best efforts of Richard's wife Amanda, the first response ambulance crew, the air ambulance and Papworth Hospital, they were unable to save his life. 

We are kindly asking for donations to Magpas Air Ambulence in memory of Richard.

Richard's Euology

Being "late for his own funeral" or a flexible attitude to time keeping was one of Richard's endearing characteristics, I believe there was a small sweepstake on the estimated time of arrival at our wedding, but I am pleased to say we have all made it here on time. Thank you for coming today to join with us to remember the life of and pay our respects to Richard - and lay him to rest in this peaceful woodland cemetery at Brinkley. Ely Cathedral can be seen from the top of the rise here (on a clear day with binoculars!)

Richard was born in December 1948 to what we like to think of as Ely Royalty. He was the youngest Son of William, Bill, and Iris - brother of Roderick, Marguerite and Malcolm. The family was hard working, establishing a thriving corner shop in "Fletcher's" on West End and St John's Road Ely, but fun loving too. There are many happy stories of trips to the seaside, Formula One, football, walking holidays, camping, croquet games and parties. Photographs record the family, their partners and later children enjoying life, laughing together.

Richard was a popular boy and told us of a childhood roaming the fields with a gang of friends that, before the housing estates surrounded Ely. Again, many of our neighbours have recounted "scrumping" apples, being where they weren't meant to be, and other scrapes and adventures. Richard was a true child of the sixties, travelling to school in Cambridge, attending youth club, and later riding his beloved scooter.

He loved expensive clothes, pop and rock music, and of course, Manchester United. He saw many of the greats, Dusty Springfield, Stevie Wonder, The Stones and The Beatles. Richard often travelled to Ramsay and further, returning on milk trains and worrying his Mum. His love of Bruce Springsteen was such that it always had to be included in every party playlist and announced his arrival when he picked anyone up from school. I doubt anyone of us will ever be able to hear Born to Run without thinking of him.

It is said that school days are the happiest days of ones' life but I don't think it is true of Richard's life. His happiest days were at the GPO and later British Telecom. They were a source of great pride and even greater friendships, friendships which lasted way beyond privatization and retirement. Retirement from BT saw Richard establish a successful painting and decorating business and saw another 'works van'. The "Flying Ashtray" as we jokingly christened it was a familiar sight whizzing around Ely, and even took George and her friends to school prom. 

Richard married his first wife Ann in September 1972, they were childhood sweethearts. He had built the bungalow, within a stones throw from the shop where he was born, and Maroubra the family home. Ann and he worked hard, enjoying raising their daughter Sally; foreign holidays, and a comfortable lifestyle. Richard attended what was then the Cambridge Technical College to add to his qualifications and climb a career path that would eventually lead him to long road as a Senior Manager at BT. It was around this time he developed his love for the game of Squash and he played most Fridays in Cambridge, Barhill and later Ely. Always a competitive player he enjoyed a 'good sweat' and a beer or two afterwards. Golf also featured for a number of years, with the BT arranged games, membership of the Golf Club and golfing holidays in Spain. But Richard was never temperamentally suited to the game and when his hip started to trouble him, he began to prefer walking the dogs.

A period of great sadness in the late eighties - early nineties saw Richard's Mother's illness and death in 1989. Closely followed by losing his beloved older brother Roderick in 1990. Ann's battle with cancer also ended in 1994 - it was a very dark period. 

Richard and I met in the West End Pub and married shortly after. We were in many ways like chalk and cheese and Richard never was persuaded to leave the bungalow for a more country, horsey friendly property. We celebrated our Silver Wedding anniversary last year, though Richard had in fact forgotten. We spent lockdown together celebrating James' virtual graduation from music college, and George's successful years at Leeds University and the imminent move to Leipzig. We were looking forward to returning to Aldeburgh and Southwold in Suffolk - favourite destinations of ours.

Richard was enormously proud of all his children. Sally, James and George and his Grandchildren; Lucie, Maisie and Jake. Lockdown provided Richard with the opportunity to spend a lot of time with the grandchildren on daily dog walks and again, happy memories were made. The foliage for his floral tribute today was collected from one of the areas in Lt. Downham that Richard particularly liked.

Going as you lived, having just been working in the garden; we lost you suddenly and far too soon. You loved, and were loved, Richard. A life well lived, he lived his whole life in Ely, "the centre of the Universe". Ely will miss you, and so will we.