In loving memory of Brian Lumley who sadly passed away on 2nd December 2020.......copy of Eulogy.....Brian was born in 1938 in Middlesborough and lived in a little Railway Cottage in Nunthorpe, his Dad, Ernest was a railway signalman. His Sister Joyce was born in 1945, so the family joke was; there will always be a war between them!
His Mum , Tessie, was from a religious family, so every Sunday the family went to Nunthorpe Methodist Church. Little did he know at the time, the church organist would become his father-in-law!
His passion for travel started at a young age thanks to his Dad’s work from which they had free family passes which allowed them to visit various places in England including the yearly visit with his Dad to Scarborough to watch the cricket, no doubt his passion for this sport began here. His father would take him to the football matches to watch the Boro…..the team he supported for all of his life. Brian did well at school, he passed the 11+and went to Guisborough Grammar School where he did very well
Brian’s love for cars goes back to one of his early cars, a Ford. When he wanted to sell his little Ford his Sister and a neighbour accidently put it in reverse gear and shot back into the house wall and damaged a back wing! When Brian came home from work, Joyce told him about the unfortunate accident, when someone came to buy the car he knocked £15 off the price and made sure Michael and Joyce paid £7.50 each out of their pocket money! So right from a young age he was watching his pennies!
Brian began courting Judith in his early twenties , at that time he was studying to be a Quantity Surveyor he was determined to be qualified before getting married and in true Brian style that’s what he did – he qualified on 24 January 1964 and got married 21 March the same year. Brian first met Al his bestfriend in 1960 when Brian joined the quantity surveying section of the North Riding of Yorkshire architect’s department, Judith and AL’s wife Angela became very close friends. Al was envious when Brian bought an MG sports car. Whilst out with Al in Newcastle having pre drinks at the Bourgoynes pub prior to a football match in 1967 he met Ron who was also to become a lifelong friend. Judith and Brian bought a house in Elm Drive Marton where his daughters Mandy and Susanne were born in 1968 and 1971.
In the next 14 years Brian and his family moved several times from Linlithgow in Scotland to Aycliffe to Truro in Cornwall due to changes in Brian’s job. During these years he continued to play golf, squash and cricket while following his passion for jazz and going to see musicals with Judith. Thanks to his social nature he made a lot of friends every where he lived.
Despite Brian being a real sportsman there was one sport he never mastered – swimming. Judith tried to teach him, as did Al and even his grandchildren in France but he was only swimming in one direction – to the bottom of the pool!
Gradually from 1999 – 2008 his Grand children started to appear into the world. What an amazing Grandad he was.
Unfortunately, he became unwell and in 2004 had his quadruple heart bi-pass operation in London which Judith supported him through but there was no stopping Brian he was soon back on the golf course. Then Judith herself became unwell and sadly passed away from non-hodgekins lymphoma in 2008.
Following Judith’s death he made the decision to move to Verwood, where he enjoyed his life continuing his love of family, holidays and sport. He enjoyed going to watch Bournemouth and also the cricket with his friend David from Cornwall. Once again he made many new friends including his neighbours Bill, Wendy and Barry as well as his Jazz friends.
He also met his ‘lady friend Joan’ from Dublin who has been his companion for 8 years…they have had many memorable trips to Portugal and more recently a cruise in January this year….throughout Covid she has continuously supported him.
During the last two years Brian has battled against lung cancer and has always tried to be positive and strong… during his last year of life still managed to created some lovely memories despite the challenges of Covid with his sense of humour shining through. Brian’s heart stopped beating on 2nd December but our memories of the times we had with him will stay with us forever.
I taught Brian Portuguese for a good few years in Truro and have very fond memories of a warm, funny man. Always willing to have a go, a real pleasure to have met him. I came across his name while sorting through work, as I helped him with some Portuguese translation when his wife sadly passed away and wondered how he was doing, then found this obituary. My sincere condolences, he was a lovely man. Helen
With fond memories of a Strong stoic Grandad/Dad who has fought against numerous Cancers over the years.....unfortunately in the end you couldn't beat this terrible disease.......forever in our hearts.....Mandy Ian Amelia and Elliot xxxx
Memories of how strong Dad/Grandad was in his recovery from his amazing heart operation which gave him additional years of a fulfilled life.
In memory of a fantastic Grandad and Dad who is missed every minute of every day, luckily we have all of those lovely memories to remember the person you really were.
Susanne, Maxime, Raffaella, Siméon and Adelina xxxxx
Thanks to an amazing heart operation 16 years ago, Dad / Grandad was able to share those early and all too important years of his grandchildren.
We love and miss you sooo much x
Thank you Janet and Geoff for your kind donation
Thank you Bill and Wendy for your donation
We have lots of wonderful memories of the time Brian and Judith lived in School Aycliffe bringing up our respective families and then later when they moved to Cornwall holidays together both there and in Portugal.
We are so sad to have lost a true friend rest in peace Brian.
Thank you for your kind donation and reminder of fond memories xx
Brian, it was always a pleasure to take you and Elliot to watch AFC Bournemouth and I will remember fondly the discussions and debates we had on the way and coming home, some trips less vocal than others. I laugh now at the times we would guess how long it would be before Elliot fell asleep on the journey home, generally just after blackwater junction!
Rest in piece sir it was a pleasure knowing you. Wayne, Jo, Georgia & Charlotte
Thank you for your kind donation and for the numerous lifts to football xx
Cathy has known Brian all her life, and he had the good sense to marry her dear cousin, Judith. Quentin came to know Brian many years ago, and were kindred spirits with a similar sense of humour. We have visited Brian many times over the years, in Cornwall with Judith, then in Portugal and in Verwood. His New Zealand trip was most memorable and we travelled to some beautiful locations together. In later years we have met up in London several times (he was often there on a trip to Lords or the Oval - a passion for cricket in which we share, Cathy being from Yorkshire as was Brian). it was lovely getting to know Susanne on her visit to N.Z. and Mandy and her family in Verwood. Our sympathy and love to all the family. Brian will be greatly missed. We will be with you all in spirit here in New Zealand. Quentin and Cathy Whitehouse
Thank you Cathy and Quentin xx
Brian was a lovely friend and neighbour and was always ready for a chat over the fence about the ups and downs of the Cherries and Hornets, he also enjoyed short mat bowls but could not understand why his woods had a habit of not staying on the mat, will be sadly missed by all.
Thank you for your kind donation and for being a great neighbour to Dad! xx
When I said goodbye to you in London last January I never thought that it would be the last time I would see you. You and I had a beautiful cruise together and we had planned meeting again in March but the dreaded Covid arrived in our isles turning the world upside down. Both of us having lost our partners were so lucky to meet in Portugal sharing love and laughter together, making memories that i
Lovely memories xx
Sleep tight Uncle Brian love from Dave,Mel,Jasmine+Sadie xxx
Sleep tight Uncle Brian, lots of love Dave,Mel,Jasmine+Sadie xxx
Thank you for your kind donation xx
Sleep peacefully Brian, we will miss you!Love Joyce’s& Kev xx
Sleep peacefully Brian, we will miss you! Love Joyce & Kev xx
Thank you for your kind donation and support to Dad especially over the last few months xx
Sleep peacefully Brian, we will miss you! LoveJoyce & Kev xx
Brian, or affectionally known as MEESTER Brian to our grandchildren! A dear friend and neighbour. What happy and special memories you leave behind you! So much fun and laughter together not only with us but all of our family. How we all will miss you. Your joie de vivre and love of sunshine was second to none! Such a passionate sportsman , an all rounder, but how you hated losing a golf ball and what will the Cherries do without your support? You leave a huge hole in all our lives and we will never forget you. Thank you for being you! Goodbye dear friend. X.
Thank you for your kind donation and for being such supportive neighbours xx
Sleep peacefully Brian, we will miss you! Love Joyce & Kev. xx
Sleep peacefully Brian, you will be sadly missed! Love Joyce& Kevxx
Sleep peacefully Brian, we will miss you! Love Joyce & Kev xx
Sleep peacefully Brian, we will miss you. Love Joyce & Kevxx
Sleep peacefully Brian, we will miss you. Love Joyce & Kev xx
Sleep peacefully Brian we will miss you.Love Joyce and Kev xx
Sleep peacefully Brian we will miss you.Love Joyce and Kev xx
Brian and his little sister 1947
Brian with his little sister 1947
Brian with his little sister 1947
Brian doing what he does best!
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