James Leonard Dearlove (27 Nov 1927 - 18 Feb 2021)

In loving memory of James Leonard Dearlove who sadly passed away on 18th February 2021. Born on the 27th November 1927 at 275 Burton Stone Lane ,York. The third child of Walter and Florence Dearlove. Jim grew up with his brothers Wally, Reg, and later was joined by Ivy,Brian,Barry and Colin. Started his Butcher Apprenticeship at William Wrights and Sons in 1943 before being called up for National Service in January 1946 just after his 18th birthday. After serving his 2 years he returned to finish his apprenticeship at William Wrights where he met Mabel Ainsworth. In 1949 Jim became a Freeman of the City of York along with Wally And Reg. A heriditary title dating back to 1848. Later he would become a Pasture Master of Bootham Stray. Jim and Mabel married on the 22nd September 1952 and lived above the William Wrights Bridge Street shop. Jim was now training as a shop manager at the same shop. In December 1955 Jim and Mabel became parents with the birth of Richard. In 1956 Jim became the manager of the Field View branch of Wrights, just off Burton Stone Lane. In 1958 the family moved to 8 Scafell Close,Rawcliffe,York. A new build bungalow. The site foreman asked him if he liked gardening, Jim replied yes and ended up with one of the biggest gardens on the new estate. Gardening was one of his passions along with bowling. In November 1962 the family was joined with birth of Dea (Deanna) who did not quite share his birthday being born on 28th November. Jim was now on the rise at Wrights and became manager at the flagship Goodramgate shop. Later he would become Area Manager before become Training Officer. In 1966 the family moved to 5 Rawcliffe Drive. In 1972 Jim left Wrights for personal reasons and went to work at Rowntrees, where he stayed apart from a brief 3 months at Asda, until he retired in 1990. By then Jim and Mabel had become Grandparents with the birth of Emma and Andrew to his son Richard and his wife Janet and Christopher and Alex to Dea and her husband John. Enjoing retirement he helped to run the Rowntrees Pensioners Holiday Club, where Jim and Mabel enjoyed several trips abroad in Europe and at home. They moved to 27 Castle Close, Wigginton in the early 1980s where Jim enjoyed getting the gardens up to scratch, Moles beware!!. After supporting his Grandaughters Emma's fight against cancer ( a reason why he took early retirement ) in the early 1990s, Jim then had to support Mabel when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. After successfully helping Mabel win her battle and his own with Prostrate Cancer they moved to 56 Wyre Mews, Haxby in 2000. He happily took over the care of the garden beds and carried on playing his beloved bowls, both indoor and outside. And very enjoyable Sunday mornings going down to his son's house to wash his car as there was no outside tap at Wyre Mews. He often did not bother washing the car, instead enjoying a cup of tea with biscuits( of course) with Emma and Andrew. In 2006 a re-occurance of Mabel's breast cancer which led to her death in October 2007. He carried, enjoying his time with his Grandchildren who he was always close to. Especially enjoyed going out for Sunday dinner at the Lysander Arms where he was something of a minor Celebrity. His 90th birthday saw a full family gathering at his favourite eating place with the extra addition of Grandson's Christopher fiance Emily. Unfortunately old age started to catch up. Slowly he had to give up bowls and gardening due to arthritis and eventually driving. 2021 was not a good year for him. What with Covid19 restricting him to stay indoors and his deteriation in his health, he found it hard. He died peacefully at the Meadowbeck Care Home where he had gone after his hip operation.
When Dad left ASDA after an ill fated 3 months,one of the staff turned to me, his son Richard as I was working there as well at the time, and said " Your Dad is a true gentleman. You don't find many about nowadays".
And to the end that is how We will always remember him. A True Gentleman, loved by all.

Rest in Peace Jim