Michael Jon Callery (5 Nov 1945 - 17 Dec 2022)

So sorry for your loss, condolences to you all, thinking of everyone at this sad time.
Have some amazing memories of Mike as a landlord, drinking in the spotted cow, the Prague and the corn stores but also some amazing house parties, and memories of firework night celebrating his birthday and him putting on such a show of fireworks for the kids when they were little, sue making sure we all had wine, treasured memories, you’ll be very sadly missed by all. Lots of love Sharon & Shaun xx

We will never forget the great times we had at the Primrose with Mike, he always was the host with most, time for everyone, no matter which side of the bar. Always greeted you with a smile and witty with it as well. The PIGS charity golf days Mike organised were so special, not only in raising loads of money for Charities but forever edged in the mind of the participants, today so many years later still discussed with racy tone.
Rest in peace Mike
Best wishes and condolences to Sue and family, we are thinking of you.
David & Hilary

God bless Mike you will always be remembered fondly from all of us greenings. Xxxx

Thanks for all the wonderful memories Mike. From being on both sides of your bar you always welcomed everyone. You and Sue were the dream team of hospitality. Rest easy. Hugs Mary xx

Mike,
Thank you for being a brilliant boss and a lovely human being. You always made everything fun and had so much energy and positivity. I always admired what an amazing dad and husband you were and how you had the capacity to make everyone feel welcome.
You will be so missed.
Sending love to Sue and all the family
Esther xxxx

God bless you Mike xx

With fond memories of Mike and Sue .
We loved having you as our neighbours in Woodpecker Court, Pembury, especially when we needed Mike's handyman skills!
He was always so happy to help, and if we were very lucky, he'd arrive with one of Sue's delicious cakes , as well as his tools !!
Always positive and cheerful, even with his breathing difficulties.

RIP Mike , and thinking of you ,dear Sue.

With love , Tom and Lynda X

We'll never forget the happy times we had with Mike. The days at the Primrose & Clowns. The four of us skinny dipping in Herne Bay, where Sue lost my 'jellies' (shoes). The PIGS golfing society with the famous competition raising thousands for charity. The fun and laughter of good friends. The years may pass but the memories stay fresh.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you and how you were so strong. Your smile always lit up the room, may your kind spirit live forever long. You are always in my heart we will never be apart.
Love you grandad❤️

In memory of Michael

This photo summed up Mike to me -
The best landlord in town and The life and soul of any party!
He meant a lot to me and was so supportive to me in turbulent times. He made me laugh and listened to me rant, and when Yvonne caved in and went to bed early, We would put the world to rights.
He was a fair, generous employer, my best friend’s dad and a good friend.
I never had a father I could really talk to and so I am eternally grateful for Mike’s support, advice, laughs, guidance and not forgetting the wages of course! Even if I did get Mad Lizzie written on my wage packet!

In later years, he welcomed Dave and my kids into his life and fun times were had, especially when his birthday used to go off with a bang!!!
So many birthdays and occasions celebrated with Mike and Sue over the years - the best host and hostess I have ever come across.

Thank you Mike for the memories, the pints, your ear and your kindness to me and all my family.
Forever grateful and thankful.
My sisters and mum talk about you with huge fondness.

Much love forever
Liz, Dave, Eliana, Louie
XXXX

Rest in Peace

Finally gone to join Jim and Dorris, a friend for life amazing days with you Sue and family, memories that will last forever from Chocolate cake in the face to escaping police road block!! Miss you Mike but thanks.

Mike welcomed me into the family with open arms. He always had a big smile on his face and a warm, firm hand shake.

He was thoughtful and encouraging and expressed genuine interest. I relished his opinions and welcomed his supportive advice.

He will forever be missed.

RIP Mike

Remembering all the good times and there were so many full of laughs and fun,
Rest now Mike
with love from Dave and Jane Bridger and family

RIP Mike

My condolences and thoughts are with you all at this very sad time.

I worked for Mike and Sue between 1995/6 in the Spotted Cow, Littlehampton. I wanted to share my memories with you on those happy days. I had some really great times working for the Callery’s and alongside my workmates. What impressed me most from day one about Mike was his friendly nature, his energy and his ability to put people at ease and make them feel comfortable.

Mike catered for everyone at the Cow, lunch menu’s for the office workers, discounted OAP schemes, happy hour for the old boys drinking their 4 pint jugs late into the afternoons, pound a pint on Wednesdays always busy, open the box on Sundays, karaoke, bingo, you name it. Mike even provided a photo board so customers could display their favourite pictures. In the evenings the place turned into a nightclub with Dj’s playing in the barn with a dance floor for the youngsters. Mike produced a talent shows that packed the place out to the rafters, think Liz won the competition on one occasion. Mike set up the Cow football team and always came along to watch and supported the games, videoing most of them so the team could watch the games back in the pub afterwards with a beer and food, Mike and Sue had laid on. We had a great team and won a few cups with Mike, I remember he provided a coach trip after one cup win to take the team and guests to a Worthing nightclub to celebrate, great night.

Mike and Sue always made an effort to look after their staff and often served chilli and drinks to staff after the bar had shut on Saturdays to unwind, that’s how Yvonne and Paul first got together. Working at the Cow, you always felt that you were part of a team and everyone looked out for one another.

I also remember we had a few lock-ins that were always a good laugh, playing killer, spoof, the word association game and watching footy, they often got a little messy!

I remember doing the lunchtime shifts and joking with Sue and Yvonne over some of the tricky customers we had to deal with! The food was always great at the Cow. Christmas was special, we’d get loads of free drinks from customers, Mike didn’t mind us having the odd drink. It was always very festive, especially the fancy dress on New Year’s Eve, happy days.

Mike and his Assistant Manager Steve, the doorman and bar staff (too many to name) had to deal with unpleasant characters (there were a few) to make sure the pub continued to be a success and to ensure customers really felt safe and protected. I guess most people never really understood and appreciated the difficulties and challenges Mike had to endure in dealing with those undesirables.

I remember seeing the queues of people gathering all along the roadside wanting to get in, every weekend. This wasn’t by chance, it was down to Mikes vision and hard work in developing and creating a great venue with a good reputation. There was always a buzz around the place (era of Oasis and Blur always playing in the background) and you would always recognise a friendly face to chat with, young and old when popping in for a drink. Mike created that welcoming atmosphere. I used to think if the town had one or two more characters just like Mike, the nighttime economy in the town would have really thrived. Mike was a unique character, a perfectionist so he wasn’t easy to emulate.

I remember Mike supported community events by arranging a fun day on the seafront that everyone attended and coach trips for customers to the races. He was all about setting the right environment for people to have fun which he certainly delivered on.

I found Mike to be a pragmatic guy, generous, clever, always looking to create new ideas and opportunities, friendly, protective and supportive of his staff, always smartly dressed, a strong minded guy who wouldn’t tolerate bullies, with a wicked sense of humor and somewhat unassuming.

I occasionally drive past the Cow (now called the Fish Factory) and remember back to all the characters, the special nights and the stories we all shared. Its over 25 years ago now which doesn’t seem possible, time goes by very quickly. I often reminisce about all of those fun times we had. Whenever I think about those days, my first thoughts always come back to just two people Mike and Sue and their warm, friendly and welcoming smiles and Mikes laugh. This picture kind of encapsulates for me, my memories of Mike and Sue from those special days. RIP Mike, a true gent, who will be sadly missed but never forgottenx

Just want to send my condolences to all the family at this sad time, I remember when i lost my Dad so know the pain you are going through, Mike was an amazing man and always looked after us all, i have very fond memories of the Spotted Cow times and remember once he hired out a bouncy wall where you had to wear a velcro suit and jump at the wall! I got stuck on one jump for a good 30 mins stuck there with everyone laughing! I will never forget it, so many good times! Open the box, £1 a pint night and loads more sleep tight legend! X

Without a doubt the best boss I have worked for absolute diamond of a man RIP Mike and condolences to Sue,Yvonne,Paul and family

What a great guy, RIP Mike.