Nigel John Ackroyd (4 Jun 1962 - 31 May 2019)

What a beautiful, thoughtful and uplifting service at St Catherine’s…

I’m so pleased our paths crossed all those years ago and feel very privileged to have known such a warm, caring, fun-loving person. Without you it is unlikely I would have worked in radio, and for that I’ll always be grateful. We were fortunate to experience the ‘golden years’ with special lasting memories for so many of us!

Taken far too soon, my thoughts are with Mary and all your family.

Love always
Mrs Wendle xxx

Sorry I won’t be able to attend tomorrow as it’s my sons prom weekend . But we will be raising a glass and thinking of Nigel one of the nicest guys I’ve ever worked with. Much love xx

Only recently learnt in the last few days the news of Nigel's death, that deeply saddened me. I knew Nigel through the shop. I would drop in now and again for some sweets, a chat that usually became quite lengthy and to get his opinion on my latest conjuring trick. I even taught in the odd few tricks that he used in the shop to entertain his younger customers. Nigel was truly one of the most friendliest and nicest men I have ever met, I feel blessed to have known him and like a lot of others I will genuinely miss him. My deepest and heartfelt sympathies go out to his family for their loss.

My sincere condolences,
Sheridan

For my friend Nigel, Nige, Nigey, Ackers
How do you sum up twenty (YES TWENTY!) years of friendship in paragraph?
Two words.
Thank you.
Thank you for giving me a chance all those years ago. Thank you for sitting, standing, walking, running (for home) by my side and teaching me the ways of radio.
Thank you for buying me a box of chocolates to give to a radio presenter by way of an apology, even though I wasn’t sorry in the slightest and nor were you.
Thank you for the most thoughtful gifts throughout our working life together. The director’s chair, the Christmas plate (which is used daily!), the fastest and funniest trip to Paris ever!
Thank you for the memory of you clad in stockings and a skirt, on the roof of a car park in the Jewellery Quarter. That’s a keeper.
Thank you for understanding the importance of late lunches and letting me leave early to learn Italian (Oh how I wish I could say something in Italian right now!)
Thank you for always thinking I was the right person to work with you, time and time and time again.
Thank you for letting my boys loose in your sweet shop. For making them feel important at the cash register. For allowing them free reign of the pricing guns. For giving them a memory that will nudge them whenever they see a row of sweets in plastic jars.
Thank you.
Thank you Nigey.
Thank you, friend.
Thank you, mentor.
Thank you, awesome human being.
Will be saying goodbye to you in my own way on Saturday, but my thoughts are with you, Mary, the children, all your family and hundreds of friends.
Love you friend.
xx

I visited Nigel in his shop in 2015. Upon hearing that my son was dressing up as Willy Wonka for World Book Day, Nigel kindly lent me (a total stranger) his precious Willy Wonka hat and golden ticket. My son was overjoyed! Unfortunately, I managed to damage the golden ticket and had to go back to the shop and explain what had happened. Nigel was so understanding and kind to me. I felt so bad about the whole thing that I managed to get him another ticket donated by the producer of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory musical in London. I gave it to Nigel who was brilliant about it all. It is so sad to hear that he has passed away. He was a true gentleman.

Sending condolences to Mary and all of Nigel’s family. We worked together as media partners at Heart/Central TV during some fun times. So sorry we didn’t have chance to meet up as planned just before his sad passing. Will remember his innovation, fun & successes and his remarkable strength in the final weeks.

I've little doubt that these tributes will be hard to read for many reason, not least the quantity of them. I never knew anyone with a bad word to say about Nigel, possibly as he was rarely negative about anyone or anything - though I may exclude Warwick District Council from that summary!

If he had troubles he largely laughed them off and encouraged you to laugh with him. I can hear his laugh now, building in a deep staccato fashion before getting higher pitched and out of control. We had many laughs. He loved life and approached it at an optimistic gallop, enthusiastically hurdling the obstacles thrown in his way. He made a great success of different opportunities and took any knocks in his stride, shaking them off with unreasonable humour and rarely asking for help though he'd have had many willing to provide it.

He was up for anything that looked like fun. We were invited to see a Madonna concert in Paris via one of Nigel's many business contacts and we had a great time, though we were 'technically' escorting listeners on a paid-for trip. After the event in the Bercy Arena we were in our hotel, amusing ourselves by mocking the grass banks that formed the side of the building. I flippantly remarked that we should climb them. Naturally, the next thing I know we are at the top of the arena having scaled the side of it (photo attached). Getting down was harder, and scarier. We sobered up quickly and avoided an embarrassing arrest.

Nigel was intensely proud of his family, their happiness meant the world to him and their successes and outlook are clearly influenced by his attitude. He was devoted to Mary and many of us were honoured to share the experience of their joyous wedding all too recently. He will be missed for the humour and warmth he brought into our lives, for the laughter and joy that came naturally to him - for these same reasons we will never forget him. Goodnight mate, keep them smiling on the other side.

It was great to hear that Nigel took real pleasure watching the FC Burbage teams train and play at Colts Close. I’m so glad Mary spoke to Jonny (Team Manager) and me a few weeks back and we were able to ensure the last game of the season for the Under 10s was played there. I understand Nigel was able to watch the whole of the 2nd half.

Our thoughts are with you all during this challenging time.

Nigel was one of four marketing assistants with myself, Anne and Richard at Ansells Brewery. Nigel was the creative one, full of imagination and fun. We all loved him and I can’t believe we have lost him. I never got to say goodbye to my lovely friend but you will always be in my thoughts xxxx

So sorry that the world has lost one of the good guys. Kind, thoughtful, funny - a lovely guy to work with, as I did for many years. Condolences to Mary and the family. Sorry I'm unable to attend the service as I will be away.

Nigel - caring, loving, beautiful human being, will be missed by so many but we can all be thankful that we had him our lives. With love from Eve an exBRMB colleague and friend. With love and God's blessing to Mary and all his family. xxx

Sending you all our heart felt sympathies. Nigel was such a lovely person and my children and I will miss his smile and chatter in the sweet shop. He was so welcoming and helpful every time we visited. Love The Clark Family - Warwick xx