Donald Barry Pedder (3 Sep 1930 - 25 Mar 2016)

In loving memory of Donald Barry Pedder who sadly passed away on 25th March 2016. Dad loved company. He usually had a joke to tell and like many men of his generation, he enjoyed a pint down his local with his friends. He trained as an electronic engineer in the Royal Signals during national service and this led to a long career working as a service engineer for Electrolux. Although Dad was an only child, on marrying Mum he became part of a large and fun loving, noisy , warm and wonderful family - the Colgans of Co Mayo. My childhood memories are ones of long summer days at the beach, holidays with cousins, accompanying Dad at work in his Electrolux van, road trips in the Electrolux van including sleeping in the back, and the important place of the Catholic Church in our lives. Mum and Dad were always volunteering to help with summer fetes etc and they counted the collection after the 6.30 service on a Sunday at Sacred Heart in Exeter for years. I grew up and left Exeter but Mum and Dad continued to make the most of life including being loving Grandparents to my two sons. We lost Mum to Cancer in 2005 and Dad joined the local Cruise Bereavement Care group in Exeter. He found a new lease of life in co-ordinating and organising days out, holidays and trips for the members of the group. I'm proud to say he even became the Chair of his local group. Over the past couple of years Dad was in failing health. I am happy that I spent a lot of time with him over the past few weeks and this was precious time. Being a wonderfully organised and practical person Dad left everything sorted for me. He was ready to go - he said that I should not be sad as he had had a good life and was not frightened or worried about what comes next. He lived independently right until the end and although recent weeks were difficult with his failing energy and loss of his usual high spirits, he tried very hard to take care of himself - even making me a few cups of tea! Dad not only lost Mum to Cancer, he was himself a Cancer survivor, and like many people, knew far too many people whose lives were shortened as a result of this horrid disease. In particular I want to mention Phylis - someone with whom he became very close after Mum died and who ensured he had many happy times after we lost Mum. Phylis also lost her life to Cancer a few years ago. My Dad was hard working, caring, reliable, kept his word and I will miss our chats and his sage advice but hope that he is at peace and at last, at rest.