Bede Rogerson 22 September 2009

'Bede!'

All you had to do was say the name and everybody knew him.

The title 'Gentleman' originated from men like Bede.

He had a placid tranquil influence on our community and our lives.

He married Agnes in 1961 in this church

(and lived at Hill Gates)

and had three children, Leo, Tim & Pam

and four grandchildren - Julie, Elaine, Mark & Neil.

I was saying to them at Old Trafford Cricket Club.

'You realise that you are blessed to have such a wonderful granddad.'

They did indeed.

The family moved to The Cottage in 1966 - the year England won the World Cup.

Bede took early retirement in 1982

which gave him much time to help with all that was going on at The Cottage.

He had a great interest in horses and put on reckless amounts like 10p each way!

He was a member of the Lancashire Cricket Association

and generously took a parties down to Old Trafford twice a year.

Even though one and a half games were rained off, Bede remained calm and at ease.

How delighted and proud he was, a month ago,

when Neil scored his maiden century.

Bede loved Jazz music, but here's a surprise

On the last coach trip, he told me that many customers

had been asking him the name of piece of music he had played.

He then hummed the second movement of Mozart's 21 Piano Concerto.

We heard Mozart's 'Ave Verbum' during Holy Communion.

But, despite that, I am sure they may well be playing up there, 'Oh when the saints ..'

Bede was kind, generous and thoughtful.

All who ever entered the premises were offered refreshment.

A great tradition aided and maintained by his family.

Everyone of us can tell a story of Bede's thoughtfulness.

This is mine.

Over 20 years ago, when a brother and his two children

were struggling to cope with the loss a young wife and mother,

Bede showed them around The Cottage grounds,

with the fish pond (the fish were this size ..... )

Then he brought out the peacock.

When the peacock, disappointingly, didn't show its tail

Bede went into the shed and chased the hen down the field;

the peacock showed all its feathers.

the children thought it was wonderful.

They can't remember the name, Bede,

but they remember his deed.

Cardinal Newman said,

'It is almost the definition of a gentleman to say that he is one who never inflicts pain.'

That's Bede.