Michael George Slinn

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

Michael passed away in the care of Leighton Hospital on 10th December 2021 aged 83 years.

The Beloved Husband of Jacqueline. Much Loved Dad to Michelle, Debbie, Michael, Alison, Jenny & Phillip. Also a Cherished Grandad to his 14 Grandchildren and a Dearest Great Grandad to his 3 Great Grandchildren.

His funeral took place on Tuesday 21st December at Crewe Crematorium Chapel at 3.30pm

Kind donations in memory of Michael are going to The Alzheimer’s Society.

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

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Michael had links to the Sydney district of Crewe. He used to proudly boast that he helped his grandad herd cows over Sydney Bridge. Here were his roots and here he leaves his presence and legacy.

We salute a great family man – loving husband to Jackie for 61 years, devoted father to his 6 children, parenting shared with Jackie of course, and good mate to his children’s respective spouses, not forgetting the 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. And not forgetting Michael’s brothers David and Rodger, sisters-in-law Mary, Joan, and a second Mary, and brother-in-law Jim.

I think it is a lovely testament to Michael and Jackie’s marriage that they chose to renew their vows on the 50th anniversary of their wedding. He had said that he wanted to marry her again. That’s pretty good for love and devotion.  We shouldn’t forget of course the other side of this relationship. Jackie, with the family, has been there for Michael in his long decline over the past 8 years. She also waited on him hand and foot before that!

There were great family holidays for family members, giving them rich memories now to draw on. Cornwall was a favourite destination – but you had to get there first! The children remember being put to bed as a group in the back of the car for the journey through the night. And then having to get up to push the car up the steep bank to reach the caravan park at Mawgan Porth. I think the journey, or at least the pushing, was as exciting as the beach holiday itself!

Later there were to be holidays much further afield – Tunisia, Hong Kong, Australia, Las Vegas, for example. In Vegas Jackie had to put a limit on the gambling each night!  They probably missed a huge jackpot by doing that. And in Vegas he went to a performance by Dean Martin, and he caught sight of Mike Tyson.

Michael was happy to be with his friends in The Sydney Arms for Friday night dominoes, more recently having a pint in The Vine. Happy to talk motors with anyone. A season ticket holder at Crewe Alex. A golfer. In his early days a bowler in Crewe Park.

He loved his music and concerts.  He has seen Johnny Cash, The Rolling Stones, Dean Martin, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart live.

Music leads onto something else in his character. The way he took care of things. Vinyl records were meticulously cleaned and cherished. In fact he carefully looked after, cherished even, everything he had. His car, which always was a “she” with a name was always spotless. His house was spotless. His garden was kept perfectly. His Golf clubs were always spotless.

Michael was a private man who did not readily show his emotion, though he could be on occasion very loving to family members – even if sometimes he was called “Grumpy Granddad”. He could have a good laugh with his workmates at the Welcome Foundation.

In a family, at its best, we see loving relationships at their finest, and Michael was part of a loving family.  Love has an eternal dimension – a million love songs will tell you that. Your love for Michael and his love for you goes on and on.

We take a tiny bit of comfort from the fact that Michael was only 3 days in hospital and all the family got to say Goodbye. We can safely say Michael made the most of life. He gave to the world, and the world gave to him.

Michael was not the sort of man to worry or fret about himself. He was content to sit in his chair and let everybody fuss around him, or walk the dog, or whatever. He would be wanting you to get on with your lives in your own way. His  ashes will take their place on the shelf next to the ashes of his beloved dogs – Duke and Guinness. In due course the latest family dog, Ted, who has been missing Michael this past year, will join them.  But Michael’s spirit has been set free, and in that spirit his family hope to see him again. His family believe that there is more to life than this life on earth.

May he rest in peace.