20240422 The life of Raymond English Hedley
 
For those of you who don’t know me, I am Warren, the youngest son of Ray. Thank you for coming today. I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude on behalf of our family for joining us in honouring the life of my Dad, Raymond English Hedley.
 
Dad entered this world as one of a pair of twins in Newcastle, in 1940, affectionately known to his loved ones as Ray, or to my mum as Raymondo Rosso. His arrival on a Thursday in July aligned with the old adage that "Thursday's child has far to go," and indeed, he embarked on quite the journey. He took great pride in his achievement of circumnavigating the globe, traversing the width of Australia in the 1960s, pushing every vehicle with a seat and a steering wheel to its absolute limit. According to accounts, he even managed to corner a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow on two wheels—a feat unmatched by anyone else. However, his tales of adventure and exploration paled in comparison to the immense love and pride he felt as a husband, a father, and a grandfather.
 
I cherish numerous memories of my father, but most especially the evenings when he would lovingly tuck me into bed and regale me with tales of his adventures. I especially loved hearing stories from his own childhood. One particular memory stands out: he recounted the time when he and his lifelong friend, Ronnie Bates, decided to construct a rocket. They built it with care and excitement, but when they attempted to launch it from a butcher's block, it burned intensely, consuming the wood with such ferocity that it left a sizable hole in the block without actually lifting off.
 
During his childhood, my dad adored spending time on his grandparents' farm near Newcastle. While there, he developed a fondness for traditional English breakfasts and roast dinners. It was also apparent to me that his passion for all things mechanical took root in that environment. His grandfather's Fordson Major E27N tractor particularly captured his imagination. He once recounted a story about his attempt to pretend to drive the tractor alone. Setting up a ramp, he engaged the E27N's gears and began reversing the tractor up the ramp by turning the crank handle. In the process, he nearly jump-started the tractor! Luckily, the engine's lack of enthusiasm in the cold weather prevented any mishaps, but his fascination with mechanics was undoubtedly ignited that day.
 
In his last year of secondary school, Dad relocated to Worcester, where he embarked on an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic. Fuel efficiency didn't concern him; he valued engine size above all else. Working on a variety of vehicles, from cars to trucks, he relished the rumble of a V8 and cultivated a fascination for hefty, fuel-thirsty American automobiles. Show him any portion of a vehicle's bodywork, and he'd eagerly identify the make and model, followed by the year of manufacture, engine size, and a plethora of intriguing details.
 
His longing for fine automobiles began to find satisfaction when he relocated to Australia as a ten-pound pom, accompanied by his first son, Douglas. Acquiring the closest vehicle to an American car available, with Douglas securely strapped into the passenger seat, Dad embarked on a journey that tested both his mechanical prowess and his appetite for adventure. Driving across the width of Australia, where nothing but dirt tracks, potholes, and desert awaited, he fed his thrill for speed and exploration. He insisted that speed was key; too slow and the potholes would wreak havoc, but at a sufficiently high speed, he could glide over them effortlessly. Any excuse to floor the accelerator was eagerly seized upon!
 
After basking in the Australian sun for several years (Vitamin D being another of Dad’s passions), he returned to the UK. After a stint at a small garage, he landed his dream job in 1968: working as a vehicle tester and inspector at Rolls Royce in Crewe. His initial days involved a driving assessment, where unsurprisingly, Dad's competitive spirit led him to pass with flying colours, achieving an "Excellent." Yet, true to form, the only criticism he received was for not using the brakes enough! Dad often lamented Fridays as the worst day of the week during his time there, as he had to wait an entire weekend before getting back behind the wheel. His good friend and colleague Dave Boardman,  fondly described Dad as "a happy-go-lucky guy who was always keen to get out on the road".
 
In 1969, Dad crossed paths with Mum at Reece's, a dancehall in Liverpool. The song you just heard, "Albatross" by Fleetwood Mac, marked their first dance together. They exchanged vows in October of 1971, and after a holiday in the South West, they were captivated by the area and chose to set up home in Plymouth. Their 53-year-long union stands as a testament to their enduring love. During Dad's decline, Mum displayed unwavering devotion, and Dad's fear of losing his voice stemmed from the realisation that he wouldn't be able to verbally express his love for Mum. Their bond was one to be admired.
 
One of Dad’s most significant professional accomplishments was establishing himself as a sole trader motor mechanic with Mum’s support. Running a successful business for 22 years, he took pride in offering his customers a personalised service, resulting in many maintaining contact with him even after his retirement. The fact that he only advertised his business once and gained work through word of mouth speaks volumes about Dad's reputation and dedication.
 
Mum and Dad's lives were enriched when Adam arrived in 1982, followed by my birth in 1984. Dad was a loving father. I witnessed first-hand the hard work he poured into his business to support our family. Often braving sideways winds and rain due to limited work space. Despite the challenges he faced, he always came home with a big smile, ready to play with Adam and I. While he took great pride in his profession as a motor mechanic, his greatest source of pride, was being our dad.
 
When he was 68, Dad retired, though he still serviced cars for loyal customers. He discovered a new passion for the gym, defying age like Peter Pan. He turned every workout into a competition, challenging himself against much younger gym-goers. His friend Paul, noticing Dad's competitive spirit, devised a clever test by subtly adjusting the weights on the machines. Dad endured Paul's covert training regime for ten days before the truth emerged that he was making the weights heavier. Paul said that Dad found this amusing and this was the beginning of a lovely friendship. Paul remained a loyal friend to Dad, visiting him weekly in the lead up to his passing.
 
It's hard to capture in words the depth of love my dad had for my mum, his sons, and his three grandchildren: Kiera, Ozzy, and Seb. His smile was a testament to that love. Looking back at pictures of Dad over the years, it's evident that he had a special smile reserved just for his grandchildren. He was always immensely proud of Kiera, playing with her and celebrating her milestones and achievements.
Dad loved the boys and adored holding and cuddling them. I am so thrilled that Dad was able to spend some happy moments enjoying newborn Seb last summer. It was on this occasion that we noticed that both Dad and Seb had the same distinctive crimped ear, together making a pair and from then on we nicknamed them the "ear twins." Seb's perpetual smile also mirrors Dad's and no doubt you will witness this when you meet him later.
When I had to share the news of Grandad's passing with my eldest son, three-year-old Ozzy, I was anxious to see how he would react. I was so moved by his response when he said ‘let’s pray for Grandad,’ offering a simple yet deeply heartfelt prayer saying  "Thank you for Grandad, Amen."
 
Dad was a man of adventure, passion for his profession, unwavering competitiveness, boundless love for his family, and a smile that never faded. Raymond English Hedley - an exceptional husband, a proud father, a loving grandfather. In the innocent words of my three-year-old son – Thank you for Grandad. (Warren Hedley)