Paul Webb (30 Jul 1949 - 14 Nov 2015)

In loving memory of Paul Webb who sadly passed away on 14th November 2015.

The order of service is in the photo gallery.

EULOGY IN THE WORDS OF PAUL'S LOVING WIFE BARBARA

"Paul did not believe in God but he was a good Christian man. Ann once called him a GOOD SHEPHERD, he laughed at that but I really think it pleased him.

Paul Anthony Webb was born on the 30th July 1949 in Kempston, Bedford, the youngest son of Joan and Ron Webb. He spent a very happy childhood growing up with his sister Diane.

When he was 16 he gained an apprenticeship at the Royal Aircraft Establishment Thurleigh where he met lifelong friends Roger, Doug, John & Kim who shared his great passion for motorbikes. It was here he learnt precision work, he was a perfectionist and like “to do things right”. He was proud to have worked on the research and development of many aircrafts including the Airbus and Concord.

In 1970 he married his wife Barbara and they spent 45 years of happy married life together without a cross word (he loved a joke). Paul bought their first house in Rushden and spent 5 wonderful years there bringing up their daughter Paula and son Ashley.

In 1972 Paul started working in the Steel Works in Corby. It was a totally different environment but he loved it and the friends and comrades he met there. Paul loved talking to people from all walks of life and had a keen interest in politics. Anyone who ever went out with Paul would enevitably, lose him, eventually finding him talking to a complete stranger. After the Works closed Paul got a job as a Development Engineer and travelled to many countries including Germany, Italy, Iceland, even spend months in Russia developing a plant for Coca Cola. Paul loved a joke and would tell people in the hotels he stayed at he was in the “Pop” industry but wasn’t allowed to say which group: little did they know it was the fizzy drinks industry.

When Paul moved to Corby in 1974 he joined the Corby and District Model Flying Club, again making lots of friends and he spent many a happy hour flying with his mate Ian. He was an active committee member and in his the last year became its Treasurer.

Paul love making, designing and fixing things. He embraced new technology loved his TV, Sat Nav, phone and tablet. He always investigated the latest gadget and tried things (who could forget the Gas car!!) His modification to the brakes on his beloved Ariel Arrow are now being copied and made in Australia. He loved his tools and all the neighbours knew where to come if they needed something fixing or didn’t have the right equipment.

One of his proudest moments was walking his beautiful daughter down the aisle to marry Buzz and was so pleased when Ashley finally “settled down” with Sue. He was over the moon when in 2004 his grandson Jamie was born followed three years later by his precious granddaughter Lucie. His nicknames will last forever, Jammie Dodger, now shortened to Dodger and Lucie Locket. It gave him so much pleasure telling anyone and everyone about their antics.

Paul loved to travel and had many holidays all over the world with Barbara including India, the Far East and China.Paul lived for his family: he was a BIG BIG family man and loved nothing better than a get together (sorry he couldn’t make the last one Wendy). Barbara lost count of the holiday cottages they had with family over the years. After his illness in 2009 Paul wasn’t comfortable travelling abroad so he bought a caravan and towed it thought-out the UK. It was also a magnet for friends and family but he would say “If the caravans a rocking don’t a come a knocking”.

He always said he was too young to go bowling but when he retired he joined Barbara at Weldon and Great Oakley – not too sure he enjoyed the bowling but certainly loved the banter and the people loved him.

Looking back at the impact Paul had on those he knew and those he loved he truly was a GOOD SHEPHERD."

TRIBUTE FOR MY BROTHER IN THE WORDS OF PAUL'S LOVING SISTER DIANE

"My dear bro

Paul and I grew up in Kempston enjoying a happy childhood and a stable family life. Like most brothers and sisters we had our childish fights and quarrels. In particular I remember the most awesome pillow fights. I also remember excitement at Xmas pretending to be asleep and daring each other to open the first present from the bulging pillowcases by our bed.

Paul and I spent happy days playing with friends, making dens and being in gangs the days seemed endless. As we grew a little older he would tease me into a fight waiting for me to come home from school. Mum would get so mad with him at times she would threaten him with the rolling pin. At one point I punched him on the nose giving him a nose bleed.

Whilst young we went on holiday to Ramsgate where I put a put a peg on a cats tail in the house we were staying in and let him take the blame. He never forgave me for that. Later on he took on a butchers round and came home with a kitten. Mum disliked cats - but inky stayed with us for 19 years. Paul kept homing pigeons too and let them out when Mum was on holiday - what a mess she came back to!

I also remember one day cycling to school I rode into a stationery car. The owner reported the damage to the police. Paul thought it was hilariously funny telling everyone "my ol girls going to the cop shop."

Yes it was me who put the peg on the cats tail - I hope he forgives me. I will love my Bro forever. Always in my heart.

Your loving Sis Di xx"

THOUGHTS FOR MY GRANDAD IN THE WORDS OF PAUL'S LOVING GRANDDAUGHTER LUCIE
See photo gallery

TRIBUTE FOR MY DAD IN THE WORDS OF PAUL'S LOVING DAUGHTER PAULA

"Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting my dad would never forget him. He was one of a kind. He always left a memorable mark or remark, not always a politically correct one and he loved to joke and tease people, some might say wind them up! Anyone close to him had to have pretty thick skin!

Clothes were never a priority for dad and I used to joke with him about his sense of style. He often showed his individuality and sense of humour through what he wore - his caps, yellow flying glasses, socks and sandals and often his t shirts. He loved his sister but was always the younger wind up brother even in his sixties and found it amusing that she got his state pension before him so he bought and proudly wore his ‘My sisters a pensioner’ t shirt. He did however always dress up smart for weddings and funerals and today is no exception. 

We can’t believe how quickly we lost dad and are still in shock, still expect to see him. We were however lucky enough to have some time with him to tell him how much we loved him, to still have some smiles and laughs, and to understand what he did and didn’t want in the end. Whilst those few weeks could never have been long enough he got his wish not to suffer for long and through the wonderful care at Cransley Hospice had a wee before he went and wasn’t in any pain. I wanted to share with you a couple of memories of the last few weeks that tell a bit of a story of the kind of man he was. 

Dad was a very generous man in every sense of the word - in his time, money and love for his family. He loved nothing more than being asked to sort or fix something and in true ‘design and development engineer style’ often modifying it so it was better than the original. I drove him mad when things broke as I’d say, 'oh don’t worry I’ll buy a new one', it was like swearing to him and it became part of our banter. He’d bought Jamie and Lucie a tablet each last year to celebrate officially retiring and in the last three weeks, knowing how ill he was I don’t know how he managed to fix them after they broke, but he did and loved knowing how much they then enjoyed them and were playing with them as a result of his hard work. 

Dad did like a bit of attention. Many will remember the sound on his phone when he got a text. A month before he died he put in a new doorbell with an equally annoying, lengthy loud ring. We joked with him that once he’d gone nobody would be able to bring themselves to change it as that was one of the last things he did. I think he liked that thought and we will always have a laugh in his memory when someone comes to the door. 

I know I drove my dad demented at times. In my 40’s he was still asking me when I was going to get a proper hobby, do something constructive? It always made me laugh as I told him socialising with family and friends was my hobby. When you lose someone like dad you wonder whether you should have pretended to like model aeroplanes, motorbikes, cars and loads of stuff that just looked like plastic and metal sticks more but
he loved the honesty, the challenge and the banter. I’m so glad he had my brother Ashley to talk boy stuff with as that took a bit of the pressure off and as Buzz and I gave him his beloved grandchildren, whilst I may have been a lost cause on the hobby front, he had a second chance with Jamie and Lucie - taking them to his workshop and garage to enthusiastically show him the things he had been creating and modifying. 

We know that dad loved politics. A good old debate that sometimes turned politically incorrect. If he was here I’m sure he would have said something inappropriate to Kerry (the humanist), but the way he would have said it he would have got away with it like he did when he joked with religious people about his atheistic beliefs. How many atheists do you know have a picture of themselves with the pope at Madam Tussaud’s in their kitchen - it was his humour for the benefit of those who entered his house with their beliefs. Many a time I found myself saying to him that he wouldn’t get away with the things he said if he worked at the council and in response he would often ask me when I was going to get myself a proper job, stop going to meetings and make something useful.  

Dad was always writing letters of complaint to various bodies and when visiting he proudly showed us letters from the House of Commons, his local MP and the Houses of Parliament.  I joked with him that most of them were politely telling him to get lost but he loved the fact he got a reply, that he was part of democracy, had a voice and was part of change. Dad was asked to be involved in the local labour candidate’s election campaign and readily agreed to host a meeting with members of the community. Dad then got asked if he didn’t mind if someone from London came up, then it became a cabinet minister. Before mum and dad knew it, it was Ed Milliband and that tickled him pink, that he’d had the leader of the labour party in his house and got his picture with him on the campaign web site. 

There's many a tale of sat nav’s and custard…but time is ticking on and we need to take dad to his final resting place.

Dad loved his holidays and you’ve already heard how much he loved the caravan he and mum had bought to finally enjoy their retirement after his previous scare with cancer 6 years ago. Only two months ago mum and dad had been touring the highlands of Scotland on one of their many jaunts where they met up with family for a sherry or two and a game of cards. Knowing now how ill he was it was amazing that he managed to do it and get them home in one piece, but he did and that showed the type of person he was, that if he put his mind to something he would do it.

Whilst dads vast and much loved collection of motorbikes, aeroplanes and tools will go in time - as dads legacy mum is keeping their beloved caravan with all of dads planned modifications and input. It will be sited at Cosgrove near to my brother’s house where we hope to continue to have happy memories of dad with family and friends, continuing his annual birthday bbq tradition. Whilst I may not have been a practical daughter, he was always proud of his whole family and he said I had his brain. I just wish we could have told him the caravan idea as he would have loved it.

You’ve heard that dad said, don’t come a knockin’ if the caravan’s a rockin’. Whilst it may no longer be a rocking and mum has lost her chauffeur to tow her around the country, she will always have her caravan of love…"