We will miss you, Frank

There could not have been a greater contrast between the life Frank lived and the send-off he received in these straightened times at Bridgewater crematorium this afternoon. See screenshot of the funeral which we attended via video in extra.

Frank made those around him feel good. He had an endless store of stories, recalled without apparent effort. His career had been in the army. For over twenty years in Louth (he talked about leaving every year - a hang-over from his peripatetic life in the services) he was in demand for his scripts and performances at Playgoers, and for his Master of Ceremony skills and after dinner speaking. He was very much involved in his boys' sporting activities.

He would have been pleased to know that he died 22 years to the day after the Mighty Mariners (Grimsby Town) won the Auto Windshield Cup at Wembley, beating Bournemouth 2-1. When Wayne Burnett, the scorer of the Golden Goal on that memorable occasion, heard of Frank's death he Tweeted his appreciation of a loyal supporter.