Neil Edwards

For Neil to be taken so soon seems unfair to us, but Neil filled his 38 years with life!

When we were kids, the summers were long and hot and we rode our bikes and made dens in the fields
all day, everyday.
I remember family holiday we had, always Blackpool on the train until our Dad got a car, then we
went to Wales.
One sticks in my mind particularly, I think it was Barmouth, Neil mithered and mithered for a
dinghy to take to the beach. Eventually Mum and Dad gave in and got him one, Dad spent ages blowing
it up and we all set off to walk to the beach. We walked and walked, Neil whinging all the way
because he had to carry the dinghy. After what seemed like hours of walking there it was, the beach,
just waiting for Neil and his dinghy. I’m not exactly sure what happened next but the beloved
dinghy got caught on a barbed wire fence and burst and Neil got a good hiding off my Dad for not
looking after it.

As we got older Neil was never one of the higher achievers at school, but that was more from choice
than inability. Once he left school and started work his true gifts shone through.
He became a well respected and sought after artist and craftsman. He worked on many homes and
beautiful churches in his time, and I think he left a bit of himself and his personality in every
one.
If I could make a window of his life it would be the biggest, brightest coloured window ever made,
and light would shine through it always.

Neil had many many friends and was the type of person who would do anything for a friend of his.
Some years ago he met and married Cath, and Caths friends became Neils friends too. I think they
were friends with most of Leigh.
I know he was proud of his friends, but the proudest time of Neils life was when Joe was born.
I asked Joe if there was anything he wanted me to say about his Dad. He just wants me to tell you
all he was a big friendly giant.
Although Neil has moved on, he isn’t really gone, all his cheeky charm, loyalty thoughtfulness and
that special charisma he had are all there in Joe. He’s definitely his Dads lad, and he had a Dad
to be proud of.