Dad (written by Stuart)
 
Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Father in Law, Uncle, Papa & Friend
 
Colin Harvey Coleman was born on the 4th June 1933 in Sydenham in the London Borough of Lewisham. He was the third born to Stan and Edith Coleman who were also blessed to have a daughter Madge and son Alan. Dad was convinced he was a surprise addition to the Coleman family given the age gap between him and Alan, indeed he told me he later found out his mother stopped going out when her ‘bump’ couldn’t be hidden any longer!.
 
During the second world war Dad was evacuated with his elder sister Madge and her daughter Sally and understandably Madge became  like a second mother to him, he absolutely adored Madge.
 
As a young boy Dad would rake around local bomb sites with his local friend John Buckingham and was often accompanied by the family german shepherd ‘Bonnie’ who his mother said kept a watchful eye on him. As a teenager Dad would cycle to West Wickham and play football in Blakes recreation park , and probably have a crafty cigarette. By this time his father had started taking him to Selhurst park to watch Crystal Palace play in the then third divison, something Dad contiued to do through out his life until his mid 80’s, hence why Crystal Palace became the family’s chosen team.   
 
Dad did well during his school years earning a place at St Dunstans Grammer College in Catford, South London and unbeknown to him attending this  prestigious college would prove beneficial later in life.
 
His brother Alan was also very dear to Dad, but given the 12 year age gap their relationship really blossomed through Dad’s teenage and adult life. Alan’s son Neil and I love to reminisce of the times we recall our fathers enjoying time together as well as assisting each other with various DIY projects which seemingly took  ages to complete as they took perfection to another level.
 
Aged 18 Dad went on a blind date, his friend suggested going to the cinema with him , his girfriend and his girlfriend’s best friend , Audrey Dine. That night proved a pivotal moment in their Dad and Mum’s lives. Dad  was smitten and told me 'Audrey was very different to other girls he had met before, apart from finding her very attractive, he quickly appreciated just how kind and considerate she was, always so willing to put others before herself. Money was tight back then but they enjoyed attending dances at the local church hall and in time Bank social occasions at the sports ground at Catford.
 
Dad completed his national service in Devises, Wiltshire and was supported throughout this time by Audrey who would write to him several times a week and always meet him at the station when he was home on leave.
On his return to civillian life Dad set about looking for a job and applied to the ANZ bank in London. Unbeknown to him the role he was interviewing for had just been filled however  the recruiting officer was so impressed by Dad  and when he found out he was an old Dunstonian, went out of his way to find him a suitable position for him within their organisation.
Dad had a decent career with ANZ Bank spanning 35 years reaching managerial status, working in both the west end and latterly the city. He also played football for the banks first and second teams and went onto to manage the bank side ….. a former colleague of his recently told me ‘he was our Alf Ramsey ‘…….. and picked up the nickname  ‘The Snake’……. Something I never did ask dad about but still makes me smile.
 
On the 14th September 1957 at St Georges Church, Perry Hill  Dad and Mum were married and went on to enjoy over 63 happy years together. After initially moving into a flat they went on to to buy their first house in Eden Park where they met Ted and Jean Mason who went on to become lifelong family friends. Their daughter Deborah has recently arrived from Canada especially to be at here at her ‘’Uncle Colin’s funeral.
As a couple they were fabulous…… Dad said to me he would never have been the person he was without Mum and also described her to me as ‘one of the wonders of the world ‘ …. Mum was devoted to him ….
 
They loved their home in Highfield Drive West Wickham which dad called ‘the sanctuary’… it was always immaculate  and the garden was a real picture . Living there for over 50 years they formed lifelong friendships with their wonderful neighbours.  
 
In 1973 Dad was selected to take a job exchange that would extend over two years based in Sydney Australia. For a family that had only ever holidayed on the south coast of England, this was an exciting and at the time slightly daunting prospect . Its fair to say it turned out to be one of the happiest chapters in Dad and Mum’s life . Dad was well received by his new Australian colleagues despite being a ‘Pom’….. and career wise it turned out to be a great move for him.
 
Dad and Mum were enjoying life making many life long friendships with neighbours and bank colleagues. Dad was offered the chance to make the move permanent but in his words ‘England is our home and we have very dear family and friends there to return to’ , so in April 1975 we arrived home.
 
On their return to the UK Dad and Mum picked up where they left off enjoying a busy family & social life. They were in their element hosting dinner parties at 11 Highfield Drive, Mark and I can remember hearing their friends shrieking with laughter while dad was holding court in the dining room. He had a fabulously dry sense of humour and whilst his recitals its fair to say could drag on a bit, his delivery was superb and left them all in hysterics. 
 
Dad was a wonderful father to Mark and I, he supported us in all our sporting and school activities driving us hundreds of miles to various sporting venues.   He provided Mark and I with a loving, happy and safe childhood and was always on hand even throughout our adult lives to listen and help us in anything we did……. In short , the answer was always ‘yes’’ as nothing was ever too much trouble, something my wife Debbie will vouch for as he was always willing to help and entertain our three boys who he affectionally referred to as the ‘wild animals’ !
 
He adored us and would make us laugh with his impersonations, catch phrases, opinions and general mocking of the rich and famous or anything or anyone in vogue…….  But it was his catch phrases that will always be remembered by us …..phrases like:
 
‘Alright Audrey’…..’The Chase is on’….’Right let the dog see the rabbit’…..         ’ Lucky Jim’…..…….to quote just a few !!
 
I would describe Dad as ‘unique’ (he would like that) ….. and on a personal note apart from being a wonderful father to Mark and I , Dad (like my Mum) was one of my best friends, someone I looked upto throughout my life,  and  I’m lucky to have so many happy memories of everything we did and shared together.
 
The same can be said of him as a Papa and father in law , he was so kind, supportive and loving, indeed  the day after Dad passed away my youngest son, Thomas, described his Papa as ‘a legend’.  I do know how delighted Dad was to meet all our boy’s girlfriend’s who have become an important part of our family . Im sure he’s already told mum in his words ‘how lucky the boys are to have found such wonderful girls to share their lives with’ . They have all told me Sunday lunches will never be the same without Papa. Likewise i’m sure Mark and Karen’s family will feel those meals at the ‘Grumpy Mole’ will never quite be the same either.
 
Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Father in Law, Uncle, Papa & Friend ... Dad was a  truly wonderful person , adored by many and will be greatly missed , never forgotten and continually quoted as well as loved forever………. RIP Dad. xx