Michael Anthony Armstrong (30 Apr 1949 - 26 Aug 2015)

In loving memory of Michael Anthony Armstrong who sadly passed away on 26th August 2015.

Right from his childhood Mick spent a lot of time at Pateley Bridge. It was undoubtedly one of his three favourite places in the world. When he was a young man and after quite a boisterous weekend at Pateley the police were anxious to speak to one of Mick’s friends.

Acting on information received they identified all but one of the lads involved but were particularly keen to find the one person they couldn’t put a name and address to, the mysteriously named “Leggy”. When they eventually found Mick Armstrong you would’ve thought they’d tracked down Ronnie Biggs.

Mick was born on the 30th April 1949 in Woodhouse. He had two elder sisters Catherine and Pat as well as, eventually, a younger sister Jean, all of whom are here today to say goodbye to their brother.

As many of you will know Mick was Woodhouse born and bred, he lived in the area all his life and only worked a couple of miles down the road. He went to Quarry Mount School before finishing his education at Blenheim Secondary School.

Mick was an adventurous kid. He enjoyed playing on his bike and even enjoyed putting bikes together, he also made a number of bogeys as a kid so it’s a good job there no shortage of hills in Woodhouse for Mick and his friends to ride down.

I asked if living with three sisters had had any influence on Mick and was told that it must have made him a mummy’s boy because he lived with his mother until her death in 1990.

Mick started work as a tailor’s cutter straight from school and never did anything else for the rest of his working life. His first employers were Browns in Busligthorpe Lane and then, for many years, Winebergs Bespoke Tailors Ltd on Cowper Road. Mick was still working right up until his last illness, he was highly skilled and was very well thought of by clients, colleagues and management alike.

As well as his sisters and their families Mick leaves behing his dear son Damon as well as his much loved grandchildren Kaney who is 16 and Leah who is eleven.

When I asked about Mick’s hobbies and interests outside work it didn’t take long to answer.

His other two favourite places in the world; TJ’s and the bookies across the road.

I’m even told that if you look closely enough you can see a furrow in the tarmac on Woodhouse Street made by Mick’s crossing between the two.

Monday to Friday was for work but Friday to Monday was for TJ’s.

Mick was a Champion darts and domino player. He had many many cups and trophies for both these disciplines. Back in the day he played for the Swan With Two Necks as well as for The Eldon.

Mick was also a student of form when it came to racing. Like most punters he was sure that his knowledge gave him the advantage but there is no financial evidence to back this up.

If Mick had ever won big money everyone would know about it because he was the most generous of men. Being such a regular at TJ’s and having so many friends there it’s not surprising that he won the draw more than once. What he didn’t spend on buying drinks for people he would call his “Floating Money”. This was often used for small, interest free, loans to friends which were often repaid on Fridays and then the loan “floated” back out on Monday.

Mick had always been fit and healthy. He walked to work and back, four miles in total, every day for many years and even up to last month he would walk to work and get a lift home.

At the beginning of August Mick was diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted to St James’s. Sadly it was then found out that he was in fact suffering from lung cancer which was sufficiently advanced that Mick died a fortnight later.

Whilst talking about Mick’s life, apart from his generosity, I have deliberately avoided talking about the type of character that Leggy Armstrong was. We all know that he will be sadly missed but I would now like to invite his nephew Paul to give his personal tribute to Mick.