1939 – 2024
Memories of Michael
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I remember Mike contacting and meeting me to persuade me to rejoin the MOD! He was polite and charming and we got on well. He became my boss there and a few years later was a work colleague at Parity Training.
He was always very precise and just a little bit pedantic, but always done with that smile. In later years, he once confided that he had taken up carpentry as a hobby and was doing an evening course locally. The instructor soon found out how precise and careful he was, and correspondingly took a long time to do anything, because he wanted to do it right! I think Mike said he was making some sort of stool which required precision cutting for tendon or dovetail joints. Then came the session when it all needed to be glued and pushed together. The instructor told Mike the glue was one of the very fast setting ones, so he had to glue it quickly and push it together quickly as well. Mike obeyed. The stool was finished and well made, typically Mike. It was only later that the instructor told Mike that he had lied about the glue, but he knew if he had not, Mike would have taken weeks to finish it.
The fact that Mike told me this, with that twinkle in his eye, shows that he understood what others saw in him and could make fun of himself.
A lovely man. A lovely memory.
Thank you, Christopher and Karen. Brenda and I were moved by the streaming of his funeral. Have a great life. Cheers!
Derek
Very happy memories of chats with Michael by phone over the last five years and enjoying his great sense of humour.
My condolence to you all.
I remenber visiting Aunty Ann and Uncle Mike regularly with my parents. There was always a great welcome and wonderful food in 1 Marsworth Ave! Aunty Ann had the best of home made treats and loved surprising us with a feast. On one particular visit, Uncle Mike took us all to a fun park and we queued for ages to go on a roller coaster. We got to the top of the queue and just about to get into the roller coaster when I completely lost my nerve and burst into tears. Uncle Mike was so so kind, told me not to worry and brought me all the back down. In an effort to stem my tears, he told me lots of jokes and I still remenber his laugh. He was so kind!
I played alongside Mike in the second row for Pinner Old Grammarians. He was a good player – hard working with a knack for being in the right place at the right time, which is why he scored a lot more tries than I did! He was known to everyone as Ginger but also acquired the nickname GB when we were on tour in Cornwall and an opponent shouted “get that ginger bugger!”
Some thirty years later my son had a serious accident on holiday in France. After several weeks in hospital in Marseille he was flown back to the UK and hospitalised at St Vincent’s where Ann was working. It was a difficult time and Ann’s kindness was a comfort to us all.
Two lovely people. The world is a poorer place without them.
I joined Grim’s Dyke in 2010 as a complete novice golfer. Mike was brilliant with me and quickly integrated me into the Rabbits (High Handicap); getting me involved with all the golf and social aspects of the section.
My wife (Meera) and Mike go back even further.
She didn’t play golf back then but accompanied me to one of of those early social events. Meera is Kenyan Asian and came to the UK in the mid-seventies to escape the problems in east-Africa caused by the policies of Idi Amin.
Within minutes of taking my place, Mike came across and asked if could have a word, “Is your wife’s name Meera?”. Turns out that the very first job Meera got on arrival in the UK was at an IT company and Mike was her boss. She’s always talks warmly about her experiences at the time – and how important Mike was during those early formative months.
Memories.
I have loads of fond memories of Mike from my first few years at the golf club. But there’s one in particular that I love – mainly because it comes in so handy for me! Mike was struggling with his game and was having a series of lessons with the Pro – Julian. Mike was in the locker room after a round and someone asked him how he’d got on. “Better” he replied, “I had five “Julian’s” and only a hundred and five “Mike Reeds”. Priceless. And yes, I still use a derivative of that to this day!
Meera went onto be Lady Captain and after my first few tentative steps in the game – I went onto become Club Captain.
And Mike is there, firmly fixed in both our histories.
I first met Michael- or Mike as I always knew him- when he walked into our church hall with Chris who had recently joined the Church Cub Scout Pack and the thing that I shall always remember was his smile.
The Cubs played football every Saturday morning and Mike was always there, helping out and cheering on the team. One Saturday, in the course of conversation, I just happened to mention that we needed a treasurer and before I had even finished he had volunteered.
All those committee meetings etc were such great fun, especially when held at Marsworth Avenue as Ann always provided the best cakes ever and often we left with a “going home bag” and I was always told that I had to ‘come round at Christmas for a piece of home made Christmas cake’ – I never needed to be asked twice.
During one of these meetings one of the dads mentioned that he was going to get his kitchen renovated….well that was it ! I was left sitting whilst these three men discussed how their kitchens needed re-doing so each meeting for the following year or so started in the kitchens with great explanations as to what tiles/units etc each was having.
I remember Mike that he intended moving the fridge to one point in their kitchen when Ann appeared and promptly told them that the fridge would go the other side of the kitchen…. that committee meeting consisted of three men and Ann all debating the pros and cons of fridges by doors etc.
There was the time when Ann said that they would look after my Westie for the weekend whilst I took the Cubs to camp..I was so grateful. When I went to collect the dog the front door was opened by Mike who said words to the effect of “…you didn’t tell us she didn’t like horses..”. I had no idea what he meant until Ann explained that they had been watching the Horse of the Year Show on TV and every time a horse appeared on the screen – which was often- the dog threw herself against the screen and howled !
Ann’s cooking/ baking / catering skills etc were known at St Luke’s Church and one could hear the chatter and laughter from afar. When I commented to Mike once about the
group of ladies she had around her he said ” Ah the Irish Mafia ” and burst out laughing.
Thanks Mike and Ann not only for those cups of tea, cakes, walks around your lovely garden, dog walking etc but for your great generosity and friendship and above all your smiles.
Rest on Peace both of you.
We at Right at Home Harrow had the honour of caring for Michael for the last three and a half years. Michael was always polite even when things were not going according to plan.
Michael would spend much of his care time telling stories about his family and showing photos around his home or of the recent holidays his children have been on or the animals they own. Michael was always so proud of the technology he owned and would laugh and teach the caregivers if they didn’t know how to work it, this was always followed by the comment you’ve never seen this before have you. Michael built brilliant relationships with his caregivers and really ensured that he knew them as much as they knew him.
Michael was a very structured man who ensured that everything had its place and was in its place, Michel would always call the office regularly and speak his mind weather it was good news or bad. It was no surprise to us when he became a active member of our coffee morning where he entertained and made friends with the other people we care for, and made all the staff laugh.
Michael was a strong individual and we are very grateful for the opportunity to get to know him.
I met Michael just over 10 years ago when I started working at Grims Dyke Golf Club.
He always had a smile, despite if his game didn’t go to plan..he would talk about his wonderful family, and show interest in others too. Such a wonderful gentleman !
We saw less of him after his beloved Anne passed away, and my deepest condolences to you all ..
Thank you Michael for making me smile every time I saw you !
So many fond memories, but one of my favourites which amply shows his sense of humour was one day celebrating at Grims Dyke after a golf event. There was a boisterous collection on the bench-seating opposite the bar who were regularly heckling the club captain. Michael turned to me and with a twinkle in his eye said “They’re the famous Oxhey morons”.
Just genius!
Fond memories of Michael and our many chats as neighbours We miss you RIP
I’ll never forget the day trip to Worthing and on the beach, a lady was changing after swimming, she wasn’t very bashful.
I remember Mike looking over the top of his newspaper as he pretended to read it. We both got a good eyeful. I was about 12 at the time, maybe 1982 or thereabouts.