For over 80 years, Ernest and I dipped in and out of friendly rivalry on various levels.
We first met when I was about 8 years old and he was just 11 months older. It was just after WWll and my aunt Audrey, who ran my father’s joinery and building firm office in St John’s St, took me with her to ‘Parbury’s’ in Cow Lane, a short walk across Little Park St. to buy wage packets and other stationary. She knew his father well and introduced me to him and young Ernest.
We later became friends via Junior Chamber (Jaycees) then, around 1968/9, I acquired ‘Savage Estate Agents’ on the opposite corner of Albany Road to where they had recently moved their businesses.
Sharing ‘business talk’ over tea or coffee, he teasingly termed me an ‘entrepreneur’ but still supplied my stationery and print needs. This continued when he became a JP, worked with me on ideas for Coventry under my father as Lord Mayor, moved his business to Parkside and later Walsgrave, all the time solidifying his standing as a pillar of Coventry’s community.
Ernest was a good man. Solid, strait forward, dependable and always with an insightful word of support. He will be severely missed.
Michael Benfield
Michael Benfield
15/10/2026
