Bryan James Morton (11 Jan 1950 - 18 Jun 2021)

Bryan James Morton was born on the 11th January 1950 to Peggy and Doug. He was born in Rotherham and grew up at Shaftesbury Square, known simply as ‘The Square’ in Rotherham – He was the eldest of 3 children, with younger sisters (the late) Denise and Frances – His dad was a construction worker, his mum a doting housewife and great baker. He had a happy childhood – apparently his Grandma Morton spoilt him rotten!

He would tell of times when he was little – He would go to a small holding that Auntie Edie and Uncle Fred lived – he loved going there with his cousin Brian. He had some great holidays where he would go to Mablethorpe for so many weeks with one part of the family – then Bridlington for another few weeks with another part of the family – then he would end the holidays going to the farm. He loved it and was well loved.

Bryan was always jolly, a whistler, singing all the time – always happy. He and Barry would help out at Jack Grice’s Tackle Shop when he was a teenager, in exchange for free bait – and we have already heard how much he loved fishing.

When he lived at home, he had a menagerie with various pens and cages where he would rescue all sorts of animals and help them back to full health and release them.

He attended School at Badsley Moor Lane and then went to South Grove School – he always had lots of friends – Alan and Barry – and Bryan was called ‘Bunk’ as a nickname – why? Because he liked to bunk off and go fishing! He could be located with his mates Barry and Alan on Gordons Coaches with their tackle. Bryan also had other nicknames later in life – he was also called ’Snail’ and his work mates called him ‘Shirley’ – he had no hair on his legs but long hair on his head!

He and his mates once were caught ‘Poaching’ – they got captured! Of course, they hid behind the bushes only to be discovered by Franky Vaughn!!! It was his land and he obviously liked Bryan as he let them fish there for free – he was only about 16 and that was a great story to tell others!

He left school at 15 and did a small amount of work at Timpsons the Cobblers – and then went to work at Steel, Peech and Tozer as a Junior operative.

From around 16, he used to ride his motorbike with Barry, Mush White and ‘Hucka’ on numerous trips to the coast.

Tina met him when he came to live next door to her. His family moved in to be with his Uncle Jim – he was about 16 or 17 and Tina started ‘courting’ when she was 12 or 13, he was that bit older. They would have been married 49 years this year. She knew he was ‘the one’ when they first started talking and he made Tina's life complete – in fact she says ‘he is tattooed on her heart forever’. He made and kept his vows – he was fantastic in every way.

They married when Tina was 17, Bryan was 22 – they married at the Registry Office on the 29th September 1972 – Richard came along in the February of 1973. Their first and only home was on Dene Crescent and Jamie came along in 1977 – Jenny in 1982. Mind you he never remembered his kid’s birthdays!

As a Dad he was super. There were plenty of wildlife walks – and as a family they just liked being together. He enjoyed a good walk to the tackle shop and the market – walking through Clifton Park to have a look at the animals. He used to go on long walks with his children after or during rainy nights, to find worms and track down wasps nests, all to be used as fish bait.

There were some wonderful nights at the Masons with Grandad King, and visiting the various working mens clubs to watch the music and live bands – hence all his bad singing. I’m sure you will remember holidays to the seaside – lots of different places over the years, Brid and Mablethorpe were his favourites. You might remember him with the ‘Wakey Wakey’ song on a school morning – and he would still sing it to his grown-up kids if they were staying over!

He loved sports, if Football, Snooker, Boxing or Tennis was on TV he would invite everyone to watch with him, as long as they were quiet, if a noise was made he would say “Shush, ariya rush”

He was a hands on Dad too – laughter while playing drafts, drawing, board games, cartoons, movies – always interested in what everyone was up to. And no one will ever forget his crosswords!!! I’m sure you will remember weekend mornings and him making super fat slices of toast. Door stop wedges with pools of butter on it.
He had a Dad’s Shed – full of his hidden treasures. And would get rather excited about fishing. And of course, the top half of the garden was full of chickens and ducks.

I’m sure you will remember his love of dogs too – He was a real dog person, especially ‘Staffys’ – Kruger the first, Boss, and Bud. He loved Murphy too… and would see to him when he went on the school run. Then Dingle the Jack Russel, and lastly the recent teeny weeny addition... Angel, a miniature Chihuahua, who he still trained to be a Staffy.

Bryan left Steel Peech and Tozer ‘Steelos’ and eventually worked at Beatson Clarks – then at River Don Stampings and Firth Rixon … there he was a drop forge stamper. He gave his family a great life. He would come home shattered – he was a hard worker – a good provider. A brilliant role model.

He retired at 65 and was able to concentrate on his family… and fishing.

When his children flew the nest, he was happy they were all settled – he was always praising them all and was so proud of his family.

Father-in-law to Donna, Milene and Gavin – and Grandad to Rachael Leigh Ellie Cameron, Madison and Gabriel – and Great-Grandad to Noah, an amazing Uncle and a brilliant friend, What a legacy! Having a Brazilian daughter-in-law with his broad Yorkshire Accent was interesting, he would always make the Brazilian side of the family feel welcome! He would famously make up Yorkshire versions of songs and get the song words wrong. If a grandchild sat on his knee for their birthday – he would wish them Happy Easter, he would also call his kids and grandkids the wrong name on purpose, just for a laugh.

You might remember that Bryan was good at giving advice – he didn’t give it often – but if you needed it, he would give it – he could tell you off too (Gav)!!!
He had some great mates over the years with his lifelong friendship with Alan and the late Barry, the late Harry White, Tony and Terry Cawthorne – amongst many other mates from work and fishing. We are thinking of Terry’s family too today in their recent sadness.

Neighbours would often become lifelong friends, from the Larkins to the Venturas… they still keep in touch.

There will be so many stories that are linked to his fishing adventures – whether it be the random chicken stealing his bate…. Diving in to save his tackle. He could be talking about anything… but it would end up about fishing.

Perhaps you will remember his comments to Jenny with her skin art –
“Bloody ell not another one…!!!”

He never held a grudge. He was very laid back – he was not interested in petty problems – just smiling is the best solution! His smile was contagious – he always lit the room up when he walked in.

Perhaps you will recall him tapping his foot with his slipper… and how he would burst into song with ‘morning has broken’… in a morning, or his infamous Paco Rabanne song!

Bryan lived life to the full. He was loved – but more than that – he always will be loved.

Bryan died on 18th June 2021 at 9:30am – he had Tina and Frances by his side.