The obituary notice of Ian St John SOFFE

Thank you to everyone who attended Ian’s funeral service yesterday.
Many thanks for your support and kind words to me and Lydia.
Thanks for those of you who travelled many miles to pay your respects to Ian - I know he would have loved this!
Ian raised over £500 for his charity and for this I am so very grateful - this is a charity we supported for many years and I will continue in memory of Ian.
Thanks to Co-op funeralcare and St Aidan’s Church.
Thanks again to you all. With love Sandra and Lydia

Ian, we’ve shared over thirty years of friendship. Too many memories to mention. Devastated we didn’t get the chance to say goodbye. I wish you a peaceful rest brother xxx

God bless you Ian. We laughed and cried together so many times, mainly over the phone in recent years. We shared our feelings about many things because we trusted each other. I didn't mind being called a 'softlad' or a 'cheeky, southern g**' by you every now and again. By the way, I always enjoyed weaving into a conversation some reference to Lou Macari's winning goal in the 1977 FA Cup Final. Why? Because I knew you would respond by calling him a 'jammy g**' before you even said it. :-) We probably drank too much, but we always had each other's backs. You were a true friend. Rest in peace, brother. Ed x

Educating Rita was the play Ian recommended for my son’s school project. It was the perfect choice. I remember thinking at the time, at Mike’s 50th birthday, how lucky Ian’s pupils were to have such a clever man as a teacher. Not only cultured, but someone who would know how to nurture curiosity in others.
We didn’t know each other well. We were at university together for a while. But, behind the fiery scouser with his deep-rooted convictions, it didn’t take long to see just what a friendly, open and considerate person Ian was.
Sandra, I’m so very sorry for your great loss.

Such a great friend at University. So many memories and stories that were shared. Ian, you touched a lot of lives. Rest in peace mate. Kully

Finally at peace now mate. Lydia and Sandra miss you so much. You’ll be missed by all of us. I’ll look after them for you.

Love from your step son in law Danny xx

You were an extraordinary character, so full of fire and humour when I knew you as a student in London. I have never forgotten how you went to the front of a lecture theatre to confront the then Home Secretary Douglas Hurd - you demanded an apology for the actions of the police during the Miners Strike. When he failed to deliver an apology of any description, we watched in awe as you shouted 'you're a disgrace' and marched from the room to stunned and rapturous applause...what balls you had! what confidence! I am grateful I had the chance to see you again at a 50th birthday party in Liverpool not so long ago. Shocking though it was to see you so reduced by illness, it was wonderful to know you had a loving family you adorred and a career that engaged and inspired you. Your loss will be felt by all those who enjoyedthe thrill of your company and the sharpness of your wit. You will be missed my friend RIP (Matt Owens).