I new Paul for about 40 years. My first contact with him was in the early 1980s when when I wanted to close my own jewellery workshop, when it became too expensive to run. I contacted various jobbing jewellers in the area before finding someone who I instantly recognised as a caring person...someone who wouldn't try to "take me to the cleaners".
Paul was a professional who gave an honest assessment of the repairs to be done on and if he thought that the job wasn't "worth it" he would tell me straight to my face...in a proper Yorkshire way (even though Teesside er Cleveland was annexed from Yorkshire many years ago).
I left the Middlesbrough in the late 1980s to live and study in London because of personal and business issues. I was still in contact with Paul in the early 1990s, but because of the distance between London and Billingham, and I wasn't visiting because of the passing away of relatives, our friendship weakened.
After many years I managed to re-contact Paul and found him still to be the honest, down-to-earth chap, that I was proud to call a friend.
We weren't in touch that often, just once or twice a year. The last time was in March 2023, when he was about to take a holiday in Cornwall with Teresa. He mentioned that they would call and see me on the way back from Cornwall, but this never happened.
Over the past few months I've sent texts but had no reply. I wondered if I had offended him in some way and that I should apologise. Today, I managed to find the courage to phone him but found both his mobile and landline numbers declared invalid.
Doing an internet search I discovered the sad news.
I'll carry the memory of you, with me always, cherishing the things we shared. Goodbye old friend. Be at peace. I've been beyond lucky to know you.
The very best of regards
Mike
Mike
15/09/2024
