Colin Metcalfe (17 Oct 1938 - 14 Oct 2025)

In loving memory of Colin Metcalfe who sadly passed away on 14th October 2025.

Dad was born on the 17th Oct 1938 in Ripon, Yorkshire, the only child to Madge and Harry Metcalfe. When he was young, dad clearly had a boyish need for adventure and mischief. His cousin Violet fondly remembers visiting Nana Madge and dad often during the war whilst her father Charlie and granddad Harry were away. Being two years older than Violet, dad often tried leading her astray - like the time dad and his friends got Violet to play chicken on the road outside the house. It was fortunate her mother saw what was happening and intervened – not before telling dad off.

Dad left school and started work as an apprentice painter and decorator with his dad Harry. Dad always said paint was in the Metcalfe family’s blood, with most of his immediate family involved in the making or putting it on walls business. Decorating wasn’t for dad and he longed to see more than the small city of Ripon. When national service called, he joined the army and pretty quickly took to army life, so much so that within a short time he signed on (and served) for the full 22 years. The army gave dad the escape and adventure he longed for with various postings in Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, the UK and Germany. Even after leaving, the army remained a dominant influence in dad’s life. He was incredibly proud of the time he served and always had stories of his adventures, scrapes and general mischief during those twenty something years. So much so that many stories were inevitably repeated, prompting family to mockingly do the Uncle Albert voice (under our breath)….. “during the war”….

Following the army, dad settled down on Canvey Island and had an equally long career with an airline based out of Southend Airport, working as a chauffeur for the boss and driver for the air-crew.

Dad was married to Linda who has also sadly passed. They met in Kineton, Warwickshire where mum was working as a barmaid in the NAFFI and dad was stationed at the army base there. Not surprisingly, mum working in a bar meant she saw quite a lot of dad in their first few weeks of friendship. Dad showed some bravery to eventually ask mum out – her stepdad Jack was a military policeman on the army base with a no-nonsense reputation. But after acting the gentleman and rescuing her from the drunken advances of another soldier on Valentines day, dad won mum’s heart and endeared himself to Jack and her mum Jean who welcomed them into their family. The early days in Kineton are some of the fondest memories dad had of his life with mum. They spent time visiting neighbouring villages and sites in Warwickshire, enjoying pub lunches and country drives in his VW beetle. Mum and dad married on 17th July 1971. A while after the wedding, dad got posted to Germany and mum of course went with him. It’s here in army married quarters they began to raise a family before returning to the UK. Mum and dad celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2011 where they renewed their vows and had a party with all their friends and family.

Dad enjoyed fishing – a hobby he began as a young boy and continued through his time in the army and beyond. Our close family friends Angie and Phil shared stories of when they were neighbours, dad would do a not-so-secret code of flashing the kitchen lights, indicating the coast was clear. Phil would respond with the same flash and they’d sneak off to go fishing for the night. There was always a suspicion the beer drinking took priority over the fishing at times. As he became older, dad filled his spare time with aircraft spotting, taking endless photographs that he would painstakingly collate. He loved any military museums and air shows and was a long time member of friends of Duxford. With deteriorating health, dad spent his later years at the Rosedale Court nursing home. We know his highlights were visits from family, days out to garden centres and pub lunches and of course anything that involved a dog – he eyes always lit up when Michelle’s Labrador Buzz bounded into his room.

Dad is survived by his children Wendy, Julie, Karen, Madelyn Mark and Michelle, along with 14 grand children and 15 great grandchildren.

Dad's funeral will take place at Basildon Crematorium on Friday, 21st November 2025 at 12:00PM in the Riverview Chapel.

The service will be streamed for those who cannot attend:
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