My lovely husband was, a kind, considerate, gentle, man and a great dad to Hetty and Libby. He wore many hats in the world. At work a fair, supportive and listening boss, his commitment to work was admirable ,if not a little contentious with his family at times! At Saint Chads he took on many responsibilities including Church Treasurer but loved chairing commitees and getting things done. As Chair of CHRISTCHURCH school he saw it through a difficult stage of growth and the additional added responsibilities of Governers .
The Villa was one of three passions apart from his family, despite their ups and more often downs. His second was his hobby, photography. I struggled to find a picture where he was not in front of his beloved camera and he adored his visits to Aldridge photographic society we were never allowed to call it his photography club ! Lastly, his gorgeous camellias , that are now spread all throughout our garden. During his illness I think he missed the most was his ability to do “his garden” not having the strength anymore which was so sad
Our life was fairly simple, meals with friends, Bridge on Friday nights for 20 years with Yvonne and John and never learning more than the basics, Anglesey at Easter and being with our girls, watching them, with pride, grow into beautiful people.
His deep friendship with Jean and Peter and childhood friends Nigel and Erin showed his loyalty and trust and will be forever lasting ,now Chris has gone. Every person he met was touched by Chris as his funeral attested to, filled to the rafters. I was not surprised. He fought so hard to fight the cancer, was very brave and only complained when we did not make his thin soup or gave him a spoon he took a dislike to.
My 27 years with Chris was lovely, I told a friend I was blessed he found me, and loved me. We,as a family, miss him from the very depths of our hearts but are glad he is no longer suffering and is now in the loving hands of Jesus..Till we meet again X
Mrs Gail Hyde Durrant
11/05/2019
