Richard Chattaway (7 Aug 1961 - 25 Aug 2017)

In loving memory of Richard Chattaway who sadly passed away on 25th August 2017

Richard was born on 7th August 1961 in Plumstead. He has a Brother Stephen and a Sister Debbie. He went to Picady School and left in 1975. At the age of 22, he met Carol and became a proud Father to Hayley. He married Carol on 10th August 1985 and they went on to have two more children, Christopher in 1986 and Victoria in 1988. The celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary… although Richard always said it was it was two life sentences.
When he left school, he worked at Wallis as a Saturday boy, and then Sainsbury’s where he met his pal Dave Mann. They were always mischievous when together. He then started working for the Government at 17, and he must have liked it that much, because he never left. He always talked about the laughs he had at work during the day, with the colleagues and Friends that he had made.
Richard loved his family holidays and on a yearly basis, took his wife and kids on a family vacation to the Isle of White. His favourite places were St Helens, Sandown and Shanklin. Richard loved driving, with his Meat Loaf music blearing out of the car speakers. I’m sure he was trying to block out the kids asking “how many more miles or are we there yet?”… and that was only five minutes after they left home!
Another favourite getaway, was going to see his Friends Jen and Kev who lived in Leicester, who he also met on the Isle of White because his Daughter Vicky had made a new best Friend, Becky. Jen and Kev have a holiday home out in Hungry, and Richard and Carol loved to visit them, near the beautiful Lake Baliton.
When the children were young, Richard had a camper van which he also loved to use, but Carol was a little embarrassed when milk floats started over taking them on the motorway!... Richard never had much luck with the many cars he owned, as people wanted to borrow them without permission, or re-shape them! Failing that, the road became an Ice rink, and he sailed his van gracefully down the road, on its roof!
Richard was a Scout as a kid and so when he had young children himself, he became a Scout leader named Bagherr. He would encourage them to achieve things such as their Duke of Edinborough Awards and Orienteering. Richard kept all of his swimming certificates but never could keep up with Steve or Deb!
When all three of his children were grown, he chose to go more up market and treated himself to a caravan to venture on many short breaks with Carol, Deb and Kev. There is nothing he liked more than a nice peaceful campsite, with scenic views. He always appreciated the warm weather and loved the quiet life. Whilst away, he would love fishing, reading his book, or learning to use the latest gadgets his wife and kids had bought him. He also loved to fly a kite, even if it did take him half an hour to set it up!
In 2004, Richard became a proud Granddad to Reece, whom he loves dearly. In 2010 it was another proud moment, where he gave his eldest Daughter Hayley’s hand away in marriage. In 2011, he became a granddad for a second time, to Jack.
Richard was a huge animal lover and for 12 years, we had a dog called Belle, who sadly passed away in 2014. Richard loved the family dog and said the house wasn’t a home without one. He convinced Carol to get a new family dog, who is called Cookie. His grandkids now refer to them as Nanny Belle and Grandad Cookie.
In June 2017, he was also very proud to watch his Son get married. This was a great day with many memories. The photos taken show the pride and Joy Richard felt and show just how happy and close his family were in his heart.
Richard was a very proud man and was so pleased that his children had settled and were doing well in their careers. Whilst he was a private person, he wasn’t shy at expressing how much he loved his family and how proud of them he was. He always knew the answers to anything and his family would often refer to him as the font of all knowledge.
In June 2017, Richard and Carol decided to sell the Family home and move to a quiet Bungalow in Longfield, where they made many plans to enjoy their retirement and start their golden years. Richard had a love for Fish and whilst the home needed many improvements, building a garden pond for his Koi fish, was at the top of his priority list. So as ever, he wanted to be involved with its creation, however he took it a step too far and managed to break his foot. Even at the hospital, he was proud that this was the first and only time he had broken a bone – unlike his Son Chris.
During the six weeks he had been signed off work, he had a new shed delivered – his man cave.. He couldn’t wait to get out the cast to get up there and arrange his tools and work bench, just how he wanted it. Giving his orders from his chair, he would quite often insist that Carol or Vicky should fetch things, or shake his mug when he wanted a cup of tea.
He had a passion for Gardening and loved his plants, Fuchsia’s especially. So much so, that when they moved, one removal van was full completely with his plant pots.
He was always on the go and hated sitting still and always loved to tinker looking for something to do, or giving his orders…so much so that we gave him the toilet cistern to repair whilst he was sitting idle in his arm chair to keep him occupied, if only for 10 minutes.
Whist he never got the chance to see his plans come to fruition, we know he is here with us, and we will endeavor to complete them to his high standards.