Alan Slater

“A daily thought, a silent tear, a constant wish that you were here.”

Alan passed away peacefully at Leighton Hospital on 29th October 2021 surrounded by the love of his family aged 81 years.

The loving Husband of Velma. Dearest Dad, Grandad & Great Grandad.  Alan will be sadly missed & remembered with affection by all who knew him.

His funeral took place on Thursday 11th November at Crewe Crematorium Chapel at 10am.

Family flowers only & kind donations to British Heart Foundation.

For further information and to offer your condolences, please telephone our Funeral Home on 01270 584447

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If we mark a man’s life by the good he did, and the difference he made
to the lives of others Alan would be up there with the best – and if we
mark it by the kindness, the love and the care he showed others he
would also have top marks. His whole life was dedicated to his family, to
Velma and to his children.
Alan was a man of principle and compassion; he had an innate sense of
decency and integrity and he had a zest for life which stayed with him to
the end.
Born in Nantwich on 17th August 1940 Alan was always a proud
Dabber. His parents were Ethel and Frank Slater, and he had a sister
Joyce who has sadly predeceased him.
During his school days he was very keen on sport, especially swimming,
and he would often retell the tale of him climbing the walls at the outdoor
baths and sneaking a free swim after the pool had closed in the evening.
Back in the 1960’s young people had to make their own entertainment,
and local dances were always a pleasure. One evening Velma and her
cousin Marjorie attended a dance at Nantwich Civic Hall, as they left
they were offered a lift home in a car driven by Alan’s friend. They turned
down his offer at first and told him they were going for the bus, but
eventually they agreed and got into the vehicle. The bus had already left
anyway!
Over a couple of weeks they arranged to see each other again, but
Velma didn’t turn up for either of them – poor Alan! but of course he did
know where she lived by virtue of having previously taken her home.
Faint heart never won fair maiden, so he called on her and this time they
went out and the rest is, as they say, history. Alan understood that
Velma, Gail and Debbie came as a package, and he was absolutely
delighted to take them under his wing and call them his girls.
Velma and Alan were married on July 6th 1967 and there was never any
question about the love and the care he showered on his new family.
They delighted in each other’s company, and celebrated their happiness
when in 1969 Alan adopted the girls.
When they weren’t working Alan and Velma enjoyed nothing more than
escaping and spending precious family time together. Holidays and trips
were always taken in the UK, and travel was always by train, Alan had

no desire to fly or travel abroad – whatever the weather Weston Super
Mare could not be beaten.
Velma and Alan honeymooned in London, and it was always a special
place for them both. When the girls had fledged the nest, they would
take their new found freedom and set off on days out together, “Sunday
Travel Days” became their time and a special time in their week.
When Gail and Debbie married, Alan and Velma welcomed John and
Mel into the family and were so pleased that the girls had found such
wonderful partners to share their lives.
As time turned grandchildren Paul, Amy and Jack were welcomed into
the family and more recently Great Grandchildren Maya and Ellie have
ensured that a legacy created from love and devotion will continue.
Alan loved his garden – he grew vegetables and flowers, if the weather
allowed and he had the time he would always be found pottering around.
He enjoyed listening to music and watching a good John Wayne film. He
was keen on astronomy and, years ago, he would watch “The Sky at
Night” with Patrick Moore.
He enjoyed sports – cricket in particular – sitting up and watching test
matches into the early hours. The garden would become the Oval and
no one got away with not playing a game.
Horse racing gave him a lot of pleasure and he would have a little bet
now and again.
But we can’t end our service without mentioning another passion which
was football – and Leeds United were his team, and he shared his
enthusiasm with Velma and the girls.
Alan was as straight as a die, he was honest and loyal. Although he
could be shy, he would share his time with anyone.

May he rest in peace.