Geoffrey Ronald Franklin (15 Feb 1929 - 21 Apr 2022)

In loving memory of Geoffrey Ronald Franklin who sadly passed away on 21st April 2022, aged 93 years.

Geoff was born on 15th February , 1929, he spent most of his young years in Brantham Suffolk where he excelled at the local school in maths and sport. On leaving school he gained an apprenticeship at Ransome and Rapier LTD Ipswich where he spent most of his working life until retirement in the drawing office as a senior design engineer responsible for designing cranes, walking draglines and other heavy machinery.

His early hobbies included playing for Brantham Athletic FC, winning the Suffolk Senior Cup on a number of occasions. Luckily for Geoff Ransome and Rapier had a very good sports and social club, he took full advantage of all the sports on offer becoming proficient at cricket, tennis and badminton.

Geoff met Mary, they married in 1956 and 3 children arrived soon after.

A happy family life continued with Geoff often down the shed making toys for the children, which have been passed down to the grandchildren and now the great grandchildren who love to play with them. Most family occasions would involve playing sport together with Mary making the sandwiches and deciding when it was time for an ice cream.

Unfortunately their time together was cut short when Mary passed away in 1991. With the support with of his family around him Geoff continued to live a happy and full life. He continued to work up to his early 70s even delivering car parts to local garages when required.

His favourite times were spent playing with his grandchildren whether that be helping them with their homework, watching them play tennis or taking them on a bike ride. Their success in maths was purely down to Geoff effort with his old fashioned mathematical ways.

The whole family enjoyed many holidays around the UK in lovely cottages the only requirement being a tennis court for those evening tournaments.

Geoff even reached the summit of the old man of Coniston in his 80s leaving his grandchildren in his shadow.

Geoff continued to be a member of two local tennis clubs, Stowmarket and Rushmere YM, well into his 80s where his speed, accuracy and sneaky drop shots were legendary. He also kept himself busy off court with maintenance jobs around the club, many years of putting the dome up at Stowmarket resulted in him receiving the Presidents Cup for services to the club.

In his 90s Geoff enjoyed the company of his great grandchildren, from walks round the block to see the fire engines, trips to the park collecting conkers on their way, listening to them read and waving at the window during covid times. His face lit up whenever the family turned up bringing cakes, sausage rolls or wine gums !

Geoff has left a massive hole in our family. He was always happy, smiley and ready to help. He will be missed enormously by us and so many others.