Raymond Lovell

“It’s all our memories that will keep you near.”

Ray passed away at Leighton Hospital on 8th July 2022 aged 76 years.

Beloved husband of Patricia. Devoted dad of Gareth & his partner Rachel and special grandad of Jacob.

Ray’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 2nd August at Crewe Cemetery Chapel at 10.45am followed by Burial.

Donations in memory of Ray are to a charity of your own personal choice.

For further information and to offer your condolences, please telephone our funeral home on 01270 584447

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Ray was born in 1946 in Wesley Street, one of the many “baby boomers” born post war. Pauline, his big sister was already on the scene as was John his brother.  He was more than content to make his home here, to work here, to be the family man here, and here we are about to lay him to rest.

He was at school first in Pedley Street, where he excelled in football and was part of the team which won the coveted Timperley shield, then on to Bedford Street. He was quite a sporty, outdoor, sort of boy who was athletic and liked to go fishing and camping. In fact,  he may have been quite a lad.

A watershed moment was when he and Pat first met when he was just 17 in the Majestic Dance hall. From then on they only had eyes for each other. It wasn’t long before they were married and living in South Street. Next on the scene was son Gareth and now there is Gareth’s son, Ray’s grandson, Jacob.

Ray and Pat’s was a love affair which lasted. This was to be the loving marriage where Ray faithfully cared for Pat during the 10 years leading up to her very sad death 21 years ago. Her passing was a huge blow to Ray and left a gaping hole in his life. It is with Pat that he is to be laid to rest after we leave the chapel.

We can safely say that Ray was a man of his word. A man who honoured family life and knew what family love was all about. He leaves a legacy of love, and a model for faithful relationships. In the years following Pat’s passing Ray visited Australia on two occasions to meet up with part of her family living there. That tells you something about the way he took family relationships seriously.

A word about Ray’s working life. Without going into fine detail we can say that he worked solidly from the age of 15 to age 59, when he retired – a total of 37 years and 3 months. He left a note where he had worked this figure out.  Most of this working life was on the Railways – in the Works, on the Permanent Way, as a shunter. There was a spell of about 4 years when he was into TV Aerial erection. By the way, one of his jobs was in Audlem. The van went out of control and landed in the canal. Ray wasn’t driving. Neither he nor the driver suffered much except that they got very wet.

While on the Railways, Ray was an NUR Union Secretary and Shop Steward. This gives another dimension to his character. He was there for other people especially his fellow workers. He assisted many folks both through the Union and outside the Union. He had leadership qualities.

Outside of work, and especially in retirement, Ray has made the best of the opportunities life provided. Ray knew what he wanted and usually seems to have got it.

His sense of humour worked well for him and those around him.  He was a bit of a prankster, as is Gareth his son. Gareth, for example,  accidently shall we say, shaved all his hair off him when he was supposed to just be giving him a trim.

He was into pigeon racing in a big way and won pool money on a number of occasions. His love of pigeons went back to his days as a lad when he kept pigeons. Later during the graveside burial a pigeon was released in recognition of Ray’s love of these birds. They carried his memory into the sky.

There have been some great holidays. There were the two trips to Australia already mentioned. Then there were also  Greece, and Malta and a cruise to Barbados. He took son Gareth with him to Thailand – which is another mark of family life.

Ray liked his cars and he had some nice ones such BMW’s. He had been planning that his next car would be a MERC. He had an eye for design.

He also liked creative woodwork. He liked his clothes to look smart and always turned himself out looking his best.

In our artistic creations – and we all have some artistry in us – we give something of ourselves, and Ray now leaves something of himself in his creations.

We must be grateful that although Ray’s life has sadly been shortened, his suffering has not been too protracted.  He was  cruising last Christmas, in Blackpool 6 weeks ago, eating his favourite fish and chips less than 2 weeks ago.

Here is quite a lovely thing to be able to say. Shortly before he died Ray told Gareth that he had seen his beloved Pat. He was ready to be with her again.

Be inspired by Ray’s ability to give and share love. We are made to form loving relationships. Love has an eternal quality to it. A million love songs will tell you that.

Love is so much bigger than ourselves. It is stronger than death. In the love that Ray has shared, those of you who love Ray will hope to see him again.