He's got a handle to his name

Today was my father's funeral. Here a touching eulogy from the bump's grandma.

"He's got a handle to his name .

Those were the first words Micks' (sorry Michaels mums) said to me. Since that time I have always tried to remember he was Mick to most people but definitely Michael when in the company of his own family. Once we finally met, we all got on well.

After we were married in 1969 I moved to Lincoln and we went to live in a tiny terraced house off Monks Road. We had no central heating, no TV and had to make sure we had plenty of 2 shilling pieces for the metre before the lights went out. Those were the days. We didn't have much but didn't need much. We had each other and were very happy.

We bought our first house on Rivehall Avenue in 1971. Mick used to pick me up after work and we would drive out to see how it was progressing. We were worried about how we could afford the the £20 per month for the mortgage but we did and even managed to
buy furniture eventually.

Edward came along in 1976 and we were so proud and still are. The following year Mick took me to see a house on Ryland Road which had been empty for about a year and needed a lot of work doing to it,but Mick could see the potential so borrowed the "Rent a Kill" equipment from work and then started knocking down walls. That's when his joinery skills and knowledge of the building trade really came in useful.

In 1978 along came James and what a joy he has been, always the life and soul of the party. He loved to entertain the family with his Magic Shows and his dressing up.

Both boys loved to help their dad with the DIY

We bought a caravan and each year went down to Cornwall, meeting up with Tom, Margaret, Ben and Vicky. Later we used to see Ann, Mike, Lloyd, Victoria and Gemma never knowing that one day we would be related. We all had our favourite beaches and coves. Mick used to stand on the rocks looking out to sea and the boys say he always wore the same body warmer in the photographs but I am sure we took other clothes for him to wear.

Vicky remembers on one occasion travelling in the back of our car and says she has never known anyone reverse around the Cornish bends with such speed and accuracy as Uncle Mick.

Mick loved to play Snooker and encouraged the boys to play, treating them to Snooker lessons on Saturday mornings but if the truth be told I think they were more interested in computers. We bought our first Acorn when Edward was about 9 and James 7. That is when James started to get interested in animation and he has never looked back. Edward on the other hand liked his Lego and Playmobile. "I'll be an Architech when I grow up" he used to say. And his dream came true.

When the boys were almost through University, both in their final years, and we were looking forward to a different type of holiday, disaster struck and Mick was taken ill in Falmouth. It was a very slow recovery but during the last 14 years we have had lots of laughs and happy times especially when the grandchildren came along.

He was looking forward to Christmas when James and Nikkis' baby is due. Another baby boy to carry on the Jagger name.

Thank you Mick for 44 wonderful years I will miss you so very much"