I've known Colin for the best part of six and half years... ever since I started seeing Paula in the spring of 2008. Before I met him she had told me of his straight talking, how he called a spade a spade!..... so it was with some trepidation that I first shook his hand at their house during our first meeting. My fears then and since have been unfounded as my time with him was always pleasant and enjoyable. Although sometimes a man of few words we did chat about sport. His love of Cricket was always a topic of conversation and often featured the failings of the England team! I loved watching him with his youngest grandchildren Amber, Summer and Artie. They used to sit on his knee cuddling him as he was the greatest grandad in the world to them. His mutual respect and love for Dolores was obvious. She was his rock and support through everything that they went through during their life together especially with his ailing health. Few people I have met were more devoted to each other. The affection and deep love with which Paula spoke about her dear dad was there to see. The gap he will leave in her life and indeed all his family is immeasurable. I once spent an hour or so with him one afternoon. Just the two of us while we waited for folk to come home. We spoke about many things and agreed on almost all of them. That time will be one of my favourite abiding memories of Colin....talking to a man opinionated but fair, haveing a strong sense of what was right and old fashioned values and a man who cared deeply about his family......RIP.