Charles Bostock (7 Mar 1940 - 13 Apr 2016)

Charlie will be greatly missed by all his friends and family especially his daughters Kay and Joanne, son-in-law Shane and grandchildren Francesca, Lauren, Samuel and Leah.

Son of Robert and Annie, Charlie grew up on Kedleston Street in the west end of Derby. He had an older sister, Una.

Charlie's first job was at Mapperley Coal Pit. Then he worked at Rolls Royce as a millwright where he met his wife Sheila whom he married in 1962.

He went on to work in demolition for the Highways Department and began his driving career by chauffeuring for Mr. Arnie Wright, Work Superintendent at the Highways Department.

Kay Elizabeth was born in November 1966 and Joanne Lesley four years later in November 1970.

Charlie and Sheila ran the Nag’s Head in Pleasley in the early 70s.

After his time running pubs, Charlie worked as a porter at Derby Women’s Hospital on Vernon Street before training to become one of the first qualified Flying Squad drivers in 1976. He worked as part of A&E consultant Mr Collins’ team at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. It was his greatest professional achievement and Charlie was recommended for a transfer to a similar role in Saudi Arabia by Mr Collins.

Unfortunately, this never came about and towards the end of his Flying Squad career, Charlie took over the shop in Darley Abbey village before returning to Royces for a short time.

From the mid-1990s through to his retirement, Charlie cleaned windows with his now son-in-law Shane Beeston. Their regular round covered Mickleover, Littleover and Chellaston.

Charlie enjoyed swimming and swam for the county in his younger years. He was also a member of Derby Rowing Club, with his brother-in-law John Palmer.

During his marriage to Sheila, they enjoyed trips up and down the UK on their motorbike and he had a particular love of Portmeirion in Wales, inspired by the television series The Prisoner.

More recently, Charlie visited Thailand with his friends and those who knew him will remember his love of horse racing and his obsession with food.

Charlie had been suffering from a number of health problems in the year or so before he passed away.

The service at Markeaton Crematorium on 4 May 2016 will be a celebration of his colourful life.