Terry Bagshaw (8 May 1943 - 9 Jan 2016)

To celebrate the life of Terence Bagshaw who sadly passed away on 9th January 2016

Regrettably, Terry was admitted to Burton Hospital on the 04 December 2015 after collapsing at home. He spent 13 days on the ward having IV antibiotics and fluids. After lots of tests Terry was discharged to Bosworth Court Nursing home for palliative care.
He had tired of his constant battle with Asbestosis, his breathing became more and more arduous. Eating and drinking also became troublesome. Due to another infection, he finally passed away the early hours of Saturday morning after only 23 days in the Nursing Home.

The staff of Bosworth Court were most kind, thoughtful and caring and made both Terry's and the family's last weeks as bearable as possible.
We all find comfort in that he is no longer suffering and has gone to a better place to watch over us all.

WORDS OF TRIBUTE (Read during the funeral service)

Who was Terence Edwin Bagshaw?

Affectionally known as Terry, Baggy, Tez, Dad, Uncle and lastly “Gandad”.

Brother to Janet, Husband to Chris, father to Kate, Rachel and Julia, Grandad to little Ethan, Uncle to Alan, Philip, Mark, Keith and Ian, God Father to John and friend to many.

Terry’s childhood was a mischievous one, full of adventures and fun which inevitably ended with him and his friends being in some kind of trouble. However, his angelic qualities were unveiled by the Church due to the discovery of a heavenly singing voice, this talent was showcased by regular solo performances in the Church choir singing for Weddings, Christenings, Funerals and other Church services.
Singing remained a passion throughout his life with impromptu out bursts of an eclectic variety of music ranging from Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf, Rocking All Over the World by Status Quo to Il Divo, Alfie Boe and iconic musicals such as Phantom of the Opera which he saw twice in London’s West End. He was often found sitting in the dining room listening to his favourites with the volume turned up, singing along.
He enjoyed many visits to the Theatre and Concerts over the years cementing his love for performing arts and music, always with his beloved bag of Minstrels or Maltsters close at hand.

As a young man he began his working career as an Apprentice mechanic. After successfully completing his apprenticeship, it was a call out to a broken down vehicle that led Terry to meet a young lady called Christine. After repairing her van, he became her knight in shining armour and chancing his luck he asked her out on a date but, she refused repeatedly insisting he was married. Not one to give up easily his perseverance succeeded and she eventually agreed to a date.
The rest is history, a life time of memories were created as husband and wife.

Terry’s career then led him to British Coal where he worked on the heavy goods vehicles at Markham Colliery in Derbyshire. He eventually moved into a management role and was relocated to the beautiful Colorton Hall, British Coal headquarters for the Leicestershire area. Terry enjoyed the management lifestyle very much, especially the entertaining aspect, being wined and dined by potential suppliers gunning for his business. Variably he would come home with a bottle of something from a client much to his delight.
He retired early at a youthful 55 years, to keep him occupied he worked part time for a few years gardening and then light labouring work for a builder.

Terry will always be remembered for being immaculate in his appearance, well groomed, clean shaven, polished shoes and the distinctive smell of aftershave that lingered pleasantly in any room he had visited.

A traditional and often private person, his family meant everything to him.
Terry was not a strict father, some would say quite soft in his approach, but he was always fair in his actions. When it came to household discipline of his daughters he very much had slopey shoulders, often affording Chris the delight of sorting any problem or skirmish out.
He became an immensely proud father as his daughters all flourished in their chosen careers each extremely successful in their own rights.

He wasn’t a man of great sentimental words but would often give you a look which required no words. His most enduring, regularly used and favourite term of endearment was “me duck”, every sentence would start, finish or include those mortal words.

One of Terry’s most treasured places to visit was Mortehoe, North Devon, a place introduced to him by Christine in their courting days.
Chris and Terry spent their honeymoon in Mortehoe during a cold and very rainy October in1967. Over the decades many family holidays were spent at North Morte Caravan and Camping Farm, an area of outstanding beauty. Countless happy memories and new friendships were created each year.
In June 2015, Terry spent his last holiday in Mortehoe, a place described in Terry’s own words whilst sat on the headland overlooking Woolacombe beach, “I love it here duck, its lovely isn’t it”.
As a child Terry spent most holidays in Whitby with his family. He also enjoyed broadening his horizons and travelling to many other places in the UK and overseas too.
With encouragement from British Airways cabin crew he faced his dislike for flying and travelled on a long-haul flight to Bermuda to see his daughter Julia. The endless supply of free alcohol greatly assisted with his nerves making the 7-hour flight most bearable. Terry and Chris had a fantastic few weeks seeing and experiencing Julia’s new life.
I am sure many people sat in the congregation today will have a memory of a holiday shared with Terry and there will be a fun story to tell to make you smile and remember fondly.

For his hobbies he was a keen follower of many sports including Formula One Motor Racing, Football, Rugby and Snooker often hogging the remote control for hours on end much to everyone’s annoyance.
He was an avid golfer throughout his life and often Chris would be a golfing widow at weekends. The 19th Hole seemed to be the reason for many delayed Sunday lunches and other occasions too, he would always arrive home fresh faced and smiling.

Terry enjoyed walking in the loosest sense. Often he would grumble under his breath whilst completing a planned walk saying things like “how much further”, “we’re not going up there are we”? A pub at the end was all the encouragement he needed, the pace always seemed to quicken when the end was in site and Terry then led the way. Once there, pint in hand, he would say “that was a lovely walk wasn’t it”, priceless and so typically Terry!

He was fiercely competitive when playing games such as Brag, Trivial Pursuits, Pictionary, Bowls and many more. I am sure most have been privy to a rowdy session of game playing which almost certainly involved lots of friendly goading, game play strategies, sometimes brazen cheating, variably alcohol fuelled and lots of banter.

Sadly, 5 years ago Terry was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Not only is it a devastating illness for the suffer but also immensely cruel and distressing for family and friends. To watch a proud man decline slowly has a life changing effect on everyone involved. Terry showed fortitude and defiance through his journey and although he had lapses in recognition of close family members on occasion, you could still see the cheeky, adoring husband, father and friend even in his final days. For that we are most blessed.

Terry, a kind, generous and thoughtful man.

A smile, a frown,
A touch of calm,
A hand to shake,
A joker, a fool,
A glass of red wine,
A light in the dark,
A laugh, a lot of fun.

Never to be forgotten, cherished always, now a star shining bright in the sky.
He will be missed greatly by all those he touched through life.