Colin Bailey

“We hold you close within our hearts and there you shall remain”

Colin passed away peacefully on 25th October 2021 in the devoted care of his family knowing he was loved aged 74 years.

Cherished husband of Audrey, Dad and Grandad who will be so sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Colin’s funeral will take place on Friday 5th November in Crewe Crematorium Chapel at 12.15pm.

Family flowers only please.

Kind donations in memory of Colin to MacMillan at Leighton Hospital Crewe.

For further information about Colin’s funeral, and to offer your condolences, please telephone our Funeral Home on 01270 584447

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Colin Bailey with one L! The registrar made a mistake on his birth certificate and
recorded his name as C.O.LL.I.N and as soon as he was old enough to realise, Colin
would ensure people knew his preferred spelling.
Colin was Audrey’s beloved husband, a cherished dad to Rachel, Melanie and
Darren, dearest father in law to Martin and Tim, doting grandad to Colby Jorga
Kieran and Gabby, a much-loved uncle to Colin, Sally Ann, Katrina, Lesley, Caroline,
Jason and Tracey, a male husband to his best mate Terry and a good mate to
almost all of Crewe, especially those in the building trade.
A remarkable man who was full on stubborn and bossy, with an acquired sense of
humour which could easily be taken the wrong way but he was so very funny! The
man who always had to take charge! And he regularly used to say, “where’s my tea,
I’m ungry!”
Every day he had at least one Granny Smith’s apple and the only part he didn’t eat
was the pips, he always popped them in the indents where the buttons are on the
chesterfield! It drove Audrey up the wall! And he would eat a whole apple pie or trifle
to himself if he could get away with it!
He enjoyed life, he was incredibly hardworking and lucky enough to enjoy every
working day. He adored his family and despite becoming unwell twelve months ago
and being diagnosed with cancer in June, Colin was determined to enjoy what time
he had left with his family, keep himself busy with little jobs without debilitating
treatment.
1947, a year to remember and in Colin’s own words: A Saturday morning on
Eddleston Road and it started to snow, I was born above the fruit and veg shop and
our Les worked at the butchers next door!
His parents Edith and George had the three boys and he always reminisced about
his childhood. He was incredibly nostalgic and often described how they didn’t have
much money, but he was always happy. He loved spending time on the allotment at
the bottom of Electricity St with his dad and grandad Joe and he liked to help his
mum on washing day by filling the tub. He was only fifteen when his dad passed
away, so he always felt he needed to step up to the mark.
He was always very proud of being a paper boy at Mr Elson’s newspaper shop
earning three pence and being trusted with doing the window display, filling the
shelves and weighing out the sweets.
His grandson Colby remembers him saying he used to go to the football and wait
outside the ground to get the player’s autographs and he even went to school with
some of the footballers children!
In later years he was at the Alex and when he spotted Alex Ferguson, he went and
asked for his autograph – for his son, allegedly!

After leaving school, Colin began his career as an apprentice carpenter at Scanlon’s
and attended college one day a week. His first task was helping to refurbish the Earl
of Chester – maybe the start of his love of a pint or two! His work was of the highest
standard and he was always very proud of the jobs he did. Wherever he went it was
“see that? I’ve done that!!
After qualifying he progressed to the role of foreman for Bosely Homes, but he left to
do maintenance work at Rolls Royce.
Eventually he and his mate started their own building company, Bailey and Fisher
but when the recession hit, they agreed to go it alone and Colin was still working
hard over thirty years later. His motto was, “do it properly or not at all” and he could
not resist taking control of any job even if he was supposed to be showing someone
how to do something he would take over completely! He won a building award in
recognition of the high standards of construction and workmanship at Shavington
Hall and he was so proud, it was as though he had just won an Oscar!
He and Audrey married just twelve months after first meeting, initially living with
Colin’s mum and welcomed Rachel into the world. After buying a house on Wood
Street, Melanie was born, and they eventually moved to their forever home on St
Claire Street although they initially planned to stay there for five years. Darren
arrived in 1985 and Colin continued to refurbish the house, extending it in all
directions to accommodate a growing family and with Audrey doing the interior
design, they made it into a stunning home.
Family holidays were always a highlight. When they were little, all three of them
remember the lovely times they had in Blackpool, although Colin didn’t! He preferred
the Grange Hotel in Rhyl, a hearty breakfast and a three-course dinner in the
evening after the gong had sounded!
As the children got a little older, they ventured further afield to places like Great
Yarmouth and Torquay but then Colin and Audrey discovered Malta and after their
first visit, Colin would never go anywhere else.
After years of going back to Malta, Audrey dragged Colin kicking and screaming on a
sixteen-day tour of America and he had the most amazing time! Bragging to anyone
and everyone about visiting the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, San Fransisco, the trip
on a steamship and his least favourite place, Las Vagas.
He had several interests – especially socialising, playing darts, his grandchildren, he
liked to watch war films on TV and once a builder always a builder, even his
grandchildren had to make a professional job of their lego walls!
Colin was a wonderful man who will be missed but hopefully reunited with his
grandson Kieran and brother Les.

May he rest in Peace.