Laurie

I first met Laurie when we were about 15. We worked at various jobs. In those days you could walk out of one job straight into another. I have fond memories of his mum and dad. And especially his dads talking or should I say coughing Minor Bird. It sounded just like his dad John. Laurie passed his driving test but I didn’t even try. I did though have various cars over those early years. On one occasion we were in a pub on Shoreditch high street. When we came out I was driving and a police car was coming in the opposite direction when the policeman driving shouted something at us. I panicked and kept driving. When I looked in the mirror they were turning around and chasing us. Up ahead was the bridge over the canal. I said to Laurie you have a driving licence so let’s swap seats. Once over the canal I stopped we changed seats and laurie pulled over and the police stopped us. All the police wanted was to tell us I had not turned my lights on. When they asked who’s car it was I said mine and Laurie was giving me driving lessons. The policeman laughed and said if I was you I would get another teacher. Another time in about 1968 we decided to go to Ramsgate for a weekend. I was driving and my windscreen wipers stopped working and it was pouring down. We had to drive taking turns to lean out and clear the screen.

I love and was loved by the best brother anyone could ever wish for. I love you Laul and when you passed a big part of me went with you. I love you more than life itself and will see and be with you again. ” on the new earth , enjoyment will replace wanting as the motivating power behind people’s actions”

Laurie was my uncle, and a Very special man; my dad loved him. He was one of those people who men and women alike loved. When my mum and dad were going through there divorce, Laurie turned up and gave Linda my sister and I £50; baring in mind that this was in the mid 80s, so it was probably worth at least £300 in today’s money. I often took my friends and new boyfriends ( not that there were many ) around to Laurie and Helen’s house, as they were the coolest couple I knew. They were a couple who you knew, that if you turned up at their doorstep they would let you in. One of my fondest memories, was touching Helen’s belly when she was pregnant with Paula. I remember being very jealous that Laurie had made wooden bricks for Paula and Cheyrl to play with, always thinking of ways to make his family happy. I honestly feel so very privileged to have had my uncle Laurie in my life. We all love and miss you.

Although I haven’t seen Laurie in a number of years I will always have very fond memories of him. Such a kind and caring human being. May he R.I.P. xxx

Sending you all lots of love and healing. So sorry for you all. Glad you all have each other at this sad time ❤️

My heart was broken When I found out that my brother Laurie had passed. He was the most caring brother and friend anyone could have. I have many funny and fond memories of him as a child and many funny exploits, including the melted polo experiment by budding scientist and sister Christine alas it ended up hanging on the end of poor Laurie’s nose. Also as an adult he was always there when you needed him. I miss him so much already and life will never be the same without him. I will love you forever my darling brother. ❤️

It’s very sad to have lost my wonderful Uncle Laurie and I will miss him deeply. I have very fond memories of us having conversations, whether we were talking about football, music, politics or anything. His great sense of humour meant that we often had a good laugh together. I will always have fond memories of him. When ever I would go round to his house, he would always make me feel very welcome and at ease. Thank you for being an amazing Uncle, Laurie, I love you. Until we meet again. Your nephew Paul.

Laurie will be missed – he was such a kind neighbour to me and my family for over 28 years – many a ladder, screw driver, allen key lent generously and with a smile and lots of nice chats over the fence. 66 send their deepest sympathies to Hellen and family x

Laurie one of the most kindest, caring people I have ever met. It was a pleasure to have known him. Such a strong man. Simply the best. R.I.P x Kay

Angie Julie Robert and family

We send our love and deepest condolences to you and all your family I was so sad to hear of Laurie’s passing it was a shock to us all … Angie Julie Robert and families

So many wonderful words, memories and feelings I have for you Dad, but yet I have struggled to find the words to write. We were so blessed to have you in our lives , and I am grateful for every single day. You were a mine of information, and there was nothing you couldn’t really fix, or sort out. I turned to you for so much, and always felt I could talk to you about virtually anything. You were strong, despite what life threw at you, you never complained, and you always showed such courage and strength. You were kind- always there for anyone who needed a hand, an ear, a shoulder to cry on. You were patient, listening to and solving everyone’s problems, no matter what you were going through yourself. You had a wonderful sense of humour- we had so many laughs, and I loved it when you belly laughed. It would set us all off. I am so proud to have called you my Dad, and I know you knew what you meant to us all, because there was so much love shared between us all. Moving forward without you is heart breaking, but I know you would want us to be strong, and support each other, following in your wonderful example. Love you always xx

It still hasn’t sunk in for me yet that I won’t be able to come to you for advice or speak to you about how the Arsenal are getting on or both fall out of the pub stumbling home together. I just want to say that any memory I have with you was a good one and I couldn’t have asked for a better grandad/father figure in my life. Thank you for everything you done for me and all of the family. You will be missed dearly and I hope at some point we get to have a conversation again. Love you always and I’ll miss you forever grandad. Sam xxxx

Such a kind unassuming man who will be greatly missed. I hope you are in peaceful place uncle Laurie.

Please carry on sharing your pictures and lovely memories of Laurie. It is all very comforting. This is his memorial page for us all to keep and use as and when we want to. Much love xxxxxx

The day you left my heart shattered into a million pieces, I know now that you are out of pain, and reunited with Nanny Rosie, and Phoebe. I search for you in the sky, knowing that one day I will be able to see you again. I know you have been watching down on us, guiding us and I want to say thank you, thank you for being the best grandad to me, and the best great grandad to George. I do hope that I can raise George to be half the man you were, I thank you for all the lessons you taught us all. I now face the hardest lesson ever, learning to live in a world where you are not here. You are, and forever will be my hero. Love you always Grandad x

Laurie made the world a better place. He earned the respect and affection of all who new him which makes me very proud to call him my uncle. My love and thoughts are with all his beautiful family.

Lovely service, watched on line. Some great memories for you all to share. It must have been so hard for Cheryl to say those lovely words, Laurie would have been so proud of you all today. Helen my heart goes out to you, sending a big hug and lots of love to you all. X

I had not seen Laurie in recent years, though I knew he was very much there. Most of my memories of Laurie were made on the many family holidays. In recent years we spent many happy times in Braddicks. I remember the longest trip to Ilfracombe where we took over the whole upper deck of the bus. It was a very long painful journey, but made better by the lovely company we shared. But there so many more. My earliest memory and my best was camping in Brixham with my mum, Laurie, Helen, Paula and grandad.It was a very long hot summer and especially remember a beautiful beach at the bottom of a long dirt track. At the bottom was a little stream with a small bridge, where we skimmed flint. I remember swimming out to a cave with Laurie and Helen. The evenings were just as magical, singing and dancing in the Club house. The haunted cottage Wales, in the middle of a bull field, with Laurie, Helen, grandad and warren. Where John and Alan slept on the pool table. We drank cider just so we could sleep through the ghostly singing. I’m sure we all had our own experiences of the strange going ons. Even grandad couldn’t explain a bed full of sand, eventhough we were miles from any beach. There’s also great memories of us all swimming in the River Wye. And the treasurer hunt organised by Helen. My mum always found cottages in the Lady magazine. She found one in Yorkshire, that wasn’t far from the highest pub in England. Needless to say we ended pushing Laurie’s car out of a ditch after a particularly boozy night on the ‘Old Piculiar’. I also remember Laurie cooking soup for everyone outside in the garage, it was the best. We had a very lovely surprise visit from Helen. My mum absolutely adored Laurie and Helen – they were the best times as a kid, making memories for life. I sincerely hope nanny, grandad and mummy have been reunited. I know Laurie wasn’t a believer – but I’m sure our energies live on somewhere and I cannot wait to be reunited with them someday. Love you always Laul xxxxxx

My first memory or meeting with Laurie was so long ago, almost 35 years, I can no longer remember that far back. The one thing I do remember and always admired about Laurie, was how laid back and easy going he was, no matter what was happening around him, he always seemed to take everything in his stride, something I have never been able to master, and a trait Laurie had that no doubt we all wished we had. I had always admired Laurie as a man’s man, strong in character, but kind and generous as an human being, and along with Helen, raising such a wonderful family along the way. Rest in Peace, Laurie.

I am missing you so much already, time will never change the love l have for you.

Rarely in life do we meet people so humble, honest and courageous. You will be missed by all who knew you. You held and acted upon values that all men should strive for. I wish I had the chance get to know you better than I did, or even just to go watch an Arsenal game with you. Thank you for all you did for our wonderful family.

To my one and only Grandad, Thank you for teaching me strength, in more ways than I knew. Thank you for giving me memories that have never stopped and will always continue to be some of my favourites. Thank you for always doing your best to look after the ones you loved and thank you for countless of other things you spent your time here with us doing. You’ll be missed more than you’ll ever know but my heart hopes you’re at rest and at peace. Love you xx

There are a millions words I could say about my wonderful Dad, but at this difficult time all I have is how much I love you and how much I miss you xxx