Michael Guest

“Treasured memories keep you near”

Michael passed away at home on 31st August 2021 aged 71 years.

Much loved Nephew, Cousin, Great Cousin and Good Friend who will be so sadly missed and fondly remembered by all his family and friends.

Kind donations are going to Mesothelioma Cancer UK & The Cecilia Treatment Centre at Wythenshawe

His funeral took place on Monday 13th September 2021 at Crewe Crematorium Chapel at 12.15pm

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

************************************************************************************************************************************

Michael was a true son of Crewe. He was born in 88 Albert Street in 1950, where he continued to live with his mum Lil until she passed away. He was schooled at Beech Street and The Borough. Michael was more than content to make Crewe his home town for life. But that loyalty to this place did not stop him visiting many European destinations, or making his regular pilgrimages to Bangor races, and UK holiday spots.

Our thoughts and sympathies are especially at this time with those closest to him – people like Roy, his Uncle with whom he lived and who will miss him like crazy, cousin Stuart and his wife Helen, and especially not for getting all the cousins on both sides of the family and  the younger members Sara and Guy whom he was close to.  Also, let’s also remember Jean, Roy’s wife and Michael’s auntie, who passed away 9 years ago and had made Michael so welcome in their home. Michael’s ashes are to be scattered with Jean’s in due course.

He never made it to create his own family, though he had several opportunities, but he didn’t need to – he made good use of family members with whom he had grown up.

As with any death, but perhaps especially with a premature and unexpected death like Michael’s, it is extremely hard to grasp and accept as having happened. Today we recall  one of the less good things life throws up – the loss of a valued person. But there are also great joys in life – and Michael had his share of those.  And we  celebrate those today. Michael knew how to celebrate the good times. For example, there were

great family parties  in Tynedale Ave at Christmas time that he organized. He was a friend to the world, not least to folks on those super holidays and to people round and about these parts.

So family and friends, work colleagues from Rowlinsons, neighbours in Hough, and others will be remembering now and in the future  a helpful and approachable face, someone who grafted with skill and artistic flair.  You may picture him building sheds and outbuildings, or in his earlier days renovating houses, or having a flutter at the Betting Shop or Bangor races, or playing darts in the pub, or working in the garden – he was the immaculate methodical perfectionist gardener.  Some family members will recall the holidays already mentioned : maybe in the static caravan, maybe abroad, maybe by the British seaside in a town like Infracombe.

Michael’s philosophy was that life was there to be enjoyed, and he worked hard to make it happen. He lived a full satisfying life on his own terms. Although in the end industrial ill health caught up with him, until very recently his health had been good and he had been able to do all the things he wanted.  He was only bed-bound the last few days of his life and that he died at home – as was his wish.

If you have the skill and creativity to make attractive things – as Michael obviously had – you bring pleasure to others as well as satisfaction to yourself. There would be other examples of this which we haven’t yet mentioned – he made writing an art form in his calligraphy, for example, and he could draw. And remember that for Michael gardening was an art form. He had an appreciation of music and comedy, as we remind ourselves today in the music of this service. These are forms of art.

Beauty is more than just in the eye of the beholder.  There are enduring values and standards in art and craft and Michael points the way to a world which transcends the here and now. Thinking about that opens up a whole big world of how we make our homes, towns and countryside nicer more attractive places to live.

His life sends out ripples in all directions. You have all been affected and influenced by his life, and if you pause you can think of great takeaways he leaves you. He bequeaths you great memories which will help to sustain you going forward. Now they are precious beyond price. They might bring a few tears to your eyes, but they will bring many more smiles in the future I promise you.

Some final words of thanks. To the Cecilia Ward at Wythenshawe Hospital where Michael received his outpatient treatment. To the District Nurses and Carers who came to the house. And Roy wants to say a big THANK YOU to Stuart and his wife Helen for all they did for Michael and for Roy himself.

But now Michael says to you all: “See you later, all being well”.

May he rest in peace.