Patrick Cecil Smith (28 May 1935 - 25 Apr 2020)

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PatrickParkinson’s UK

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PatrickMacmillan Cancer Support

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Wilford Hill Crematorium (West Chapel) Loughborough Road West Bridgford NG2 7FE
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In loving memory of Patrick Cecil Smith who sadly passed away on 25th April 2020
Pat was born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk on 28th May 1935. After spending most of his childhood in Leigh, Lancashire, he moved to Nottingham in 1954 to do a degree in Mathematics. Here he met his wife Ivy and they married in 1958. After teaching at Langley Grammar School, Buckinghamshire, they returned to Nottingham in 1961. Pat taught at Fairham Comprehensive School in Clifton, was Head of Penney House and began his work in School Sport. He joined the English Schools Football Association and became Chairman in 1981-82 and life member in 1990.
In 1990 he took early retirement from teaching and started work for the National Council for Schools Sport. He dedicated his life to School Sport, also being involved in a voluntary capacity in many other sporting organisations in the UK and becoming an influential figure. He was also a qualified football referee and taught on many refereeing courses. He refereed the football semi-final at the Barcelona Paralympics in 1992.
In 2002 he was awarded an MBE for services to School Sport in the East Midlands, presented by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.
Pat and Ivy had two daughters, Karen born in 1967 and Alison in 1970. Sadly Alison died in a car accident a few weeks short of her 13th birthday. Ivy passed away after a long battle with cancer in 2002 and Pat continued to throw himself into his work with School Sport, refereeing and foreign travel. He also spent a lot of time with his Grandson George born in 2003. He became involved with organisations such as the University of the 3rd Age, Nottingham Mechanics, Comedy Club and he loved his Sunday evening visits to the Nottingham Jazz Club. He also mentored foreign students at Nottingham University, showing them the sites and culture of Nottingham.
He continued with all these activities until 2018 aged 83. A combination of Parkinson’s Disease and cancer meant that he had to be cared for at Church Farm Nursing Home, Cotgrave in the final year of his life where he passed away peacefully.
Over the years he made so many friends in all walks of life, being happiest surrounded by people and making them laugh. He was a very special person and a true gentleman, who will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues.

Andrea Wilmot nee Barnaby wrote

Only just seen this by accident. So very sad to hear about the wonderful me Smith. He was my house master who was always very firm but very fair. Fondly known as PC Smith.

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Graham Wilkinson wrote

Mr Smith
Was my headmaster of Penny
Use to play table tennis with him
Very fond memories of him
Strict but fair
My best to his family

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Paul Allen wrote

So sorry to hear this sad news he taught me maths and was a strict but very fair man top bloke r.i.p me Smith x

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Annette Sims wrote

So very sad to hear this news , he was my house master for 5 years in Penney I looked up to him he was an inspiration and you never did wrong win Mr smiths house
His bless you sir RIP xxx

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Bob Fisher donated in memory of Patrick

A very knowledgeable person who helped me a great deal in promoting Cerebral Palsy football in all regions of the world. Will be missed, but the work he did is very much appreciated by a lot of people. His MBE was earned by all that he did.

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Stuart Inger wrote

Pat taught me Maths in the 1960s and was my first XI football manager - such an enthusiast and deep thinker about the game, so highly thought of. I then came across him in schools football and followed him onto the English Schools FA Council and the National Council for School Sport where he touched the lives of so many people here and in far flung places. I shall miss a wonderful colleague and a very good friend - always full of life and fun.

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Dave Woollaston donated in memory of Patrick
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Stuart Inger donated in memory of Patrick
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Phillip & Ann Burnish donated £25 in memory of Patrick

Sorry we could not attend the funeral but we were thinking of you and your family.

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Lauretta Hobson donated £10 in memory of Patrick

RIP Pat. Remembering you with happy thoughts of our chats together and the comedy we laughed at during the U3A meetings. You are sadly missed.

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Hilary Weedon donated in memory of Patrick

An excellent charity in memory of an excellent gentleman

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Karen Black posted a picture
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  • Probably Pat's first 1st X1 at Fairham. 1965. Winners of the Notts GSFA 6 a side Cup. Back Row: PCS, Gallagher, Butcher, Taylor, Inger, Harding Front Row: Rogers, Abdy, Deakin, Marshall

    Posted by Stuart on 3/06/2020 Report abuse
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Steve Mills donated £10 in memory of Patrick

Farewell Pat you were my inspiration. We shared a love of maths - that I still enjoy today in retirement; and you influenced and effectively guided my career for the best. Who could ever want for a better teacher and role model.

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Steve Mills donated £10 in memory of Patrick

Farewell Pat you were my inspiration. We shared a love of maths - that I still enjoy today in retirement; and you influenced and effectively guided my career for the best. Who could ever want for a better teacher and role model.

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  • Pat, who used to call me Slide Rule Sllim (spelt like that) led me down life's path into computers. As an accomplished engineer and analyst I kind of feel obliged to point out a failing in this web site: I actually donated twice - once to Parkinson's and again to Macmillan and yet the site doesn't show my donation to Macmillan - both worthy causes, both pertinent to Pat.

    Posted by Steve on 15/05/2020 Report abuse
  • Thank you for both your donations xx

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Jane Humphreys lit a candle
Christine Moore wrote

I was a Penny house block pupil 82-87. Mr Smith was a brilliant teacher and house master. I loved the table tennis he introduced me to . Sad news to hear that he had Parkinson's disease. I hope he didn't suffer to much in life he wouldn't have deserved that he was a top bloke . Goodnight Mr Smith ..gone but not forgotten, just one step beyond ❤️❤️

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Christine Moore donated £20 in memory of Patrick

So sad to hear of Mr Smith's passing. Beautiful man, fantastic teacher ❤️

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Ronnie Witts wrote

Such sad news mr smith was my house master 1980-1985. One of the only teachers that left a lasting impression on me. My deepest sympathy to all his family and friends

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Sami Taylor (nee Sharp) lit a candle
Rosemary Ward wrote

I first met Pat at the Fairham School where he was housemaster and maths teacher to my two children.
I later met him when I worked on the Reception desk in the Ada Byron King building on the Clifton Campus of the Nottingham Trent University.
He was there to teach tomorrow's referees. He was always happy and friendly, and so keen to see others taking an interest in sport.
In fact he was so keen it was difficult to close the building at the end of the night. He had to go through three rooms to the front door, and I had to turn the lights of in each room to persuade him and his colleagues to leave. Even then they would often stand outside to chat football.
He will be missed by everyone whose life he touched.

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Catherine Black donated in memory of Patrick

Pat was my housemaster, maths teacher and I really enjoyed his table tennis club. He was a really supportive teacher and always said that I reminded him of his daughter Alison.
He had an amazing life. I’m just sorry I never bumped into him again.
Please accept my condolences for your loss.
Catherine Shelton, Penney house 82-87

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Ruth Ward wrote

He was always Mr Smith to me my Penney housemaster my table tennis coach. He made the assembly so interesting and my maths classes. There was nobody else like him he was such a warm person. I last met him at the Fairham reunion and he stood hugging me and said call me Pat now that I was an adult but he was such a respected person in my eyes I couldn’t do that so it was Mr Smith. I’ve shed some tears on reading of his passing but am happy that I knew such a wonderful person. My thoughts go to his family

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Sarah Watson Hallam lit a candle
Sarah Watson Hallam wrote

Mr Smith.
My House Master and Maths teacher till 1983.
You were very much respected. God Bless you. I pray God will comfort your family and give them his peace. X

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Andrew Ward wrote

Penney House pupil between ‘78 & ‘83 Mr Smith was my Housemaster. He introduced the whole house to The War of the Worlds as a series of short sessions, listening over the house intercom.
He was a superb role model.

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Andrew Yates wrote

Mr Smith,
My maths teacher at Fairham. Still remember and use the word goes into when teaching maths and picture you. A brilliant teacher.
God bless Mr Smith and family.

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Sami Taylor wrote

Karen, your Dad was my housemaster and maths teacher and I adored him. We saw him last at the Fairham school shut down reunion. He opened his arms to me and my best friend and said "my girls!!!". He was an amazing man and I carried a lot of memories of him through my life and will continue to do so. So very, very sad for your loss xx

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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Mark Cram wrote

My maths teacher who pushed me to achieve more and never give up , the world has lost a shinning light will never be forgotten good night and god bless

Mark Cram keyon/Castle House 83-88

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  • Thank you for your lovely comments. I am holding a memorial/celebration of life for Pat Smith on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 12pm at The Wolds, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7HZ. You are welcome to attend if you would like to. Please let me know if you are. Best wishes, Karen 07968 960204

    Posted by Karen on 18/05/2022 Report abuse
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