Roger Albert Whitehouse (8 Apr 1929 - 5 Dec 2014)

Granpa

Born in Worcester in 1929 , Granpa was only brother to Pat, Joyce and Mollie . He talked fondly of a childhood spent with his sisters , including holidays on his grandfather, Thomas Boaz's farm in Broadheath. His love of the countryside was formed at this time and he would often talk of shooting expeditions on the farm - activities which probably fuelled his appetite for game and strong tasting foods . He rarely mentioned his father, Albert, who was something of a disciplinarian, and who supported his family in a number of ways including as a Foundry agent. Granpa was close to his mother whom he always addressed very fondly as 'Katie'. After school at Stourbridge Grammar he attended Technical College before National Service in the Tank Corps rising to the rank of Sergeant. His athleticism as a young man - he was a very good sprinter and Rugby player - undoubtedly added to his experience in the army and he played as prop forward for Stourbridge and later Derby Rugby clubs. Friends mention his aggression on the pitch, in stark contrast to his character off it.
Moving to Derby in the early 1950s he rose to Director and Works Manager at Leys Malleable Castings : roles and a company of which he was very proud. He met my grandmother , Janet, a nurse and they married in 1956. Nurses played a crucial role in grandpas' life as , after Janet died in 1992, he met and married Wendy, his second wife who was also a nurse.
Granpa was very proud of his sons, my uncles Nigel and Rich and my dad, Nick. They remember a father who could be strict but fair ; someone who saw himself as a provider in partnership with their mother who was the hands on carer. They remember Granpa's intelligence, financial astuteness, and business acumen which paid off when, thirty years ago, he and Janet set up and ran , with my uncle Rich, a very successful business, Wheathills House Residential Home in Kirk Langley.
My dad and uncles have many memories of their family life with grandpa; their home in Quarndon; holidays in Wales, especially Poppet Sands ; long and sometimes not too comfortable journeys in the back of various Triumph motorcars on journeys to the seaside; watching Derby County from a vantage point overlooking the Baseball Ground next to the Leys Foundry or as season ticket holders latterly at Pride Park where Grandpa and Nigel attended for many years ; their father's interest and pride in their achievements; his love of Jazz, antiques and travel. Dad talks of a father who was keen to influence but wise enough not to coerce; someone who was very proud of his grand children ; who enjoyed listening and whose sense of humour was at times , mischievous.
Dad talks of being amazed even as a child at the number of people who Grandpa knew - he recounts how men and women would approach them on trips into town, keen to shake Roger's hand and how he invariably knew their names - 'Used to work at Leys ' was the frequent explanation. Granpa certainly had a wide circle of acquaintances but a relatively small circle of friends -always intensely private he was happier gardening than partying; and never more happy than spending time at home.
After my nanna Janet passed away , Granpa was distraught but found happiness and companionship with Wendy who talks fondly of their time together and of Roger's smile ; my brother Luke also remembers Granpa's laughter and sense of humour. Wendy and Granpa enjoyed very much their life together: travelling the world; trips to their favourite restaurants including The Cavendish Hotel in Baslow; drives round Derbyshire; and their shared love of antiques. And of course it was Wendy who helped care for Grandpa in his later years , helping him convalesce after his operation for cancer and looking after him 24/7 before Parkinson Disease took firm hold and it was necessary to move him to a nursing home, Bluebell Park, where the staff took such good care of him.

Liam Whitehouse (Grandson)

In loving memory of the late Roger Albert Whitehouse who sadly passed away on 5th December 2014