John Duncan Edward Payne (5 Sep 1960 - 13 Jun 2017)
Donate in memory of
John Duncan EdwardCancer Research UK
Funeral Director
In loving memory of John Duncan Edward Payne who sadly passed away on 13th June 2017.
John was a wonderful father, brother, son and teacher during the time he had on this earth. From his wayward, youthful days of Manchester United and.... other things, our dad was a living testament to what hard work and dedication could achieve in life. He went from a juvenile delinquent to a teacher, where he could set a wonderful example to students in his 20+ years of teaching.
A former Royal Engineer, Diver, and serving with the Paratrooper Regiment of the Israeli Defence Forces, John's service to this country was recognised fully. He only wished he had known that Thatcher was going to declare war, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered with the Army! (His words). Also a lifelong Red, John followed United wherever and whenever he could. Even in the Glazers days when he gave up his season ticket out of protest, he could not tear himself away from watching United week in, week out.
John also had his sensitive side though. After graduating from Cambridge University and the Institute of Education, his first year of teaching is where he met our mother, and had myself and George - both aptly named after Manchester United legends Eric Cantona and George Best.
John proved that old saying wrong, that teachers do 'not make good parents' by being the most wonderful, kind and caring father there could be. He was always there for a shoulder to cry on. He was always there (reluctantly) to help with school work. He always went above and beyond to provide presents for us and he made sure that we were never deprived of anything. He always made sure to reference his own life so that we would not take the same path, and to value the opportunities that were provided to us. He was a hard worker and continued to work in a teaching position and school that didn't value him nearly as much as he should have been.
He was, and always will be, an unbelievable role model, friend, father and husband. A proud but humble man, his larger than life presence will truly be missed in our home and beyond. His presence was infectious and memorable, which means that the wonderful memories we have of him will never fade.
Comments