Frank Pountain

“Memories are precious they don’t go away, we think of you always and not just today”

Frank passed away peacefully in the care of Leighton Hospital on 23rd August 2021 aged 93 years.

The beloved husband of the late Jessie and a loving Dad & Grandad.  Frank will be sadly missed & fondly remembered fondly by all his family & friends.

His funeral took place on Wednesday 8th September 2021 at Crewe Crematorium Chapel at 1pm.

Kind donations in Frank’s memory are gong to St Luke’s Hospice.

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

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Frank reached the grand age of ninety-three, he was devoted to his late wife Jessie
or as he lovingly called her, Jess and totally bereft when she died in 2013. They
almost achieved their Diamond Wedding Anniversary with the same sparkle they
always had for each other. They were two halves to a whole, the perfect team who
were true soulmates and the best of friends.
Following Jess’s death, Frank’s love never dwindled, because for those who truly
love with their heart and soul there is no such thing as separation, she never left his
thoughts.
Frank was an amazing dad to Barbara and Steve, a dearest father-in-law to Dave
and Hazel, cherished and loving grandad to Pete, Tina, Samantha and James and to
his treasured great grandchildren Ellie, Oliver and Ryan and Harry who continues to
look for the tube of polo’s great grandad always bought.
He was a dearest brother to Gordon, Margaret and Brenda and brother-in-law to
Rosemary and Ray on his side of the family, and Bill on Jess’s side. Gordon sadly
couldn’t travel from Bristol but his daughter Diane represented him.
George and Lilian’s first-born son Frank was welcomed into the world on 14 th August
1928 followed by his brother Gordon and two sisters, Margaret, and Brenda and
together they had a contented childhood living in their family home at Wald Avenue
in Fallowfield.
George attended Briafield Secondary School now known as Burnage Academy and
went on to have various manual jobs before being called up for National service in
1947. Youngsters were normally conscripted for two years but George contracted
pneumonia and was discharged on medical grounds after eighteen months.
Finding himself at a new crossroads in his life, his mum’s sister, Auntie Winnie was
instrumental in him getting him a job in the planning department at Renold’s Chains,
well she was head of HR so a gentle nudge in the right direction worked a treat!
It’s true to say having an Auntie as Head of HR wasn’t the only perk of the job after
joining the company, it was where he met his future wife Jessie Smith, and it must
have been love at first sight because he proposed on his first date. In full tradition,
he asked her mum’s permission and was relieved and delighted she said yes. He
and Jess exchanged their lasting vows at St Paul’s in Withington in 1954.
They began married life living with Jess’s mum who I gather was also called Jessie
Smith so to avoid confusion, she was given the term of endearment, “Miff!” Living
there gave Frank and Jess a good start as it was an ideal opportunity to save hard
for a deposit on a house of their own.
Barbara blessed their marriage in 1955 and after they purchased their family home in
Fairholm Rd, Withington, Miff moved in with them to help with childcare which of
course helped enormously, back in the day before maternity and paternity leave
found their way into policy and procedure books!

Steven made his entrance in 1959 but having Miff at home meant they were able to
work extra hours, and they always found ways of saving money like cycling or
walking to work.
After paying their mortgage off early, the family enjoyed the first of many caravan
holidays in Llandudno and they also had fun filled holidays at Butlin’s Camps.
Over time, Frank developed a liking for Hillman Cars and as Gordon worked at
Dunlop, he managed to squeeze some very good deals out of his employers for
various models over the years but Frank’s patience and Stress levels were certainly
pushed to the limit teaching Barbara and Steve how to drive in them.
Frank and Jessie continued to work at Renalds for over 40 years before they retired
and flew for the first time ever as they embarked on the holiday of a lifetime, visiting
Jess’s brother Bill and his family in South Africa. After their long-haul adventure,
they enjoyed many memorable holidays in Europe with Brenda and Ray.
Much closer to home, Frank was a keen gardener and wherever he went, he had
small bags and a pen knife in his pockets ready to ‘borrow’ cuttings and although
anything he grew flourished beautifully his chicken keeping was never very fruitful as
no eggs were ever produced, little wonder really as all his hens were cockerels and
Frank hadn’t realised! Although his larger feathered friends weren’t a resounding
success, he did love his budgies!
When he wasn’t out with his birds, he loved a party, and they did have some
cracking parties over the years, even if they weren’t cracking eggs, especially at New
Year. The whole family enjoyed celebrating wedding anniversaries and birthdays
and often got together at The Gateway Pub ran by Dave’s Mum and Dad in Didsbury,
Manchester and they had some brilliant times.
After Barbara and Dave moved to Crewe, Frank and Jess downsized to a lovely
bungalow just around the corner and spent 13 incredibly happy years there with no
regrets. Frank lost his darling Jess but maintained his independence, even tending
to his garden albeit with a degree of help from Barbara and Steve in the last couple
of years. He enjoyed his ninetieth birthday celebrations at Hunters Lodge and
wanted everyone to celebrate his life there after the ceremony, but all good things
have to come to an end sometime, Frank will be sadly missed.

May he rest in peace.