Stephen Marshall
A Dad is someone to look up to, someone to follow, someone to admire, someone to be proud of and someone to brag about. They are someone to hold, someone to cry with, someone to learn from and someone to respect, someone to listen to, to talk to, someone you want to impress and sometimes rebel against, but mostly they are someone to share everything this wonderful life has to offer.
We are so incredibly grateful and happy that we can tell you that we have had all of this and much, much more with our Dad, Steve.
Dad had a happy and fulfilled life and lived with no regrets. He was a fantastic man, loved eternally by his family and friends. To say we loved Dad would be an understatement, to say he will be missed is an even greater understatement.
We cannot begin to imagine not having Dad on the end of the phone or having him pop round to help us with the practical side of life, whilst giving us his fatherly advice, which we didn’t always ask for, but always did appreciate (in the end). Dad was always there for us no matter what and as our Dad he made sure both of us have grown up to be strong and independent (and we’re sure there were times he regretted this!) but this has stood us both in good stead, contributing greatly to our already happy and successful lives.
There is no doubt in our minds, that Dad got his strength from his much-loved mother, Elsie who, over the last 17 years, has met every challenge she’s faced head on – from losing her husband, Brian to losing her youngest son, Tony and sadly now losing her eldest son, Steve. She has maintained her dignity and strength throughout it all and is a complete inspiration to the whole family.
Since Dad has passed, many people have sent kind messages of sympathy and condolence, for which we are very appreciative. All those messages express similar thoughts of what a kind, wonderful and generous Friend, Dad, Son & Brother he was but also what a funny and incredibly sarcastic so and so he was. Dad would be pleased to know this is how people remember him.
As a hardworking, motivated, and driven man, Dad deserved the successful and rich life that he created and enjoyed. He taught us many, many things but most importantly he gave us the confidence that if you really put your mind to something, anything is possible and never to be afraid to give anything a go, but most importantly of all – don’t ever give up.
Dad has always loved sport, particularly football and cricket. He was an exceptional sportsman who had many successes, including playing semi-professional football for Harrogate Railway and countless weekends spent being Captain of Bardsey, Collingham & Wiseton cricket club’s. He loved cricket so much that on the day Sophie was born, he left Harrogate Hospital to go play in a cup-match at Barwick. He really was a phenomenal wicket keeper, which he was recognised for by being asked to represent Nottinghamshire Over 50’s where he went onto play and captain that side for several years, which we both know was a huge sporting highlight for Dad. But most of all, Dad loved being part of a team, something he’s instilled in both of us. He was a great team player and leader who knew when a team needed straightening out or needed a laugh – he was excellent at doing both.
We all have wonderful memories of Dad, he regularly took Sam to watch Leeds United having had season tickets from 1994. We followed them home and away, and even had the pleasure of attending the 1996 Coca Cola cup final at Wembley. In true Leeds fashion they were hammered 3-0 by Aston Villa. He even, and very optimistically, took Sophie to a match when she was just 3 years old, only to be very disappointed when she ended up falling asleep for the full 90 minutes. It’s safe to say she didn’t go to many more matches after that. Dad never lost his optimistic outlook on Leeds, he was adamant that he would never see Leeds in the Premiership again! So, we’re very glad Dad saw them back where they belong (and proved him wrong!) because we would have loathed writing this if Leeds were still 15th in the Championship with Neil Warnock in his 7th season in charge.
After a life of impatience (where he wanted everything done yesterday!) Dad was forced to discover the benefits of patience in his later years and the calm that this brings with it, this is something we will both try to take with us into our own lives.
Dad was never worried about dying. He truly believed he was going on to a better place and would be reunited with Grandad Brian & Uncle Tony. Whatever your beliefs, this is a very comforting thought and one that has helped make his passing a little less sad. We miss him deeply but are very grateful that we had him in our lives and are able to celebrate his well lived life.