Timothy James Caven (11 Apr 1947 - 27 Oct 2023)

Timothy James Caven
11 April 1947 – 27 October 2023

Timothy “Tim” Caven, sadly passed away on Friday 27th October, at the University Hospital in Coventry, after a brief battle with cancer.

Tim always believed in making the most of every opportunity, seeing the best in everyone he met and enjoying life for what it offered. Until the few short weeks before his diagnosis, he was still living life to the full, travelling with wife Linda to France and Devon on holiday, enjoying cricket with his grandchildren and cycling in the sunshine.

Tim grew up in Kirby Muxloe on the outskirts of Leicester, but had very fond memories of school days at The Dragon in Oxford and holidays spent at the Norfolk coast, treading the mud flats of Burnham Overy Staithe and eating cockles in the harbour of Wells next to the Sea. Senior school at Gresham’s in Norfolk was possibly less inspiring, but trips to sample the night life on offer in Norwich were always remembered fondly.

From school, Tim studied printing at college before joining the family packaging business Winton Caven, where he worked alongside his beloved father John Caven, taking over at the helm when he retired. Through constant innovation and sheer hard work the business was a resounding success throughout the 1980s and ‘90s. A second career working with the Chinese firm, HLP packaging followed, where as always, he struck up invaluable working relationships with clients that evolved into close friendships. Tim possessed a phenomenal work ethic and remained working until September this year.

Tim married Linda in 1980 and they enjoyed a wonderful life together, travelling far and wide to enjoy restaurants, concerts and trips to the theatre. Tim was a devoted and much loved father to their children, Binka and Barnaby, who joined Ali, Hannah and Sophie from his first marriage to Bo. Six grandchildren followed all of whom delighted in meetings with Grampa Tim, his constant jokes and wicked bedtime stories.

Sport was always a passion for Tim, visits to Welford Road were a rite of passage for all the family, while trips to Twickenham, Lord's and Cheltenham were eagerly accepted. He played hockey into his sixties, was a very able secretary for the Rugby Cricket Club and a round of golf with friends was a weekly highlight. It was the essence of sport that he loved, the spirit epitomised by the Ryder Cup and the Lions, where teamwork and selflessness counted for everything.

Family and friends were the pivotal elements in Tim's life; he delighted in having a house full and creating merry mischief whenever possible. Linda's legendary cooking was often the starting point for an afternoon and evening spent putting the world to rights, before the inevitable "night-cap" came out of the drinks cupboard. He also had a serious side and was always available for a walk, chat and a wise word - the very best of listeners and most loyal of friends.

Tim had a love of foreign travel and adventure which he passed on to his children, resulting in memorable trips abroad to visit them, and latterly grandchildren, in places as far flung as Lesotho and closer to home in Provence, Madrid, Dornbirn and Devon. If a skiing holiday could be combined with a visit – so much the better.

His final days were spent with his family around him, sharing memories, telling stories and laughing at all the fun life had offered up over the years. It can truly be said that his sense of humour never left him.

He will be so very sadly missed, but his final wish was that his passing be commemorated as a celebration of life, with plenty of colour, music and happiness.