Ian first met you when he delivered to the shop, we think circa 1993.  I can't remember when I first met you and Sharon but my earliest memory was staying with you at your house, not the bungalow, the one before that so it was probably about 27 years ago.  Your boys were staying the night with your Mum and Dad and we went to the local pub, I just remember talking, laughing and drinking until the small hours, it was probably followed by a chinese as was the tradition.  We have spent many great times together since then, first with all the kids and then as they out grew us just the four of us.  Some of my more vivid memories are: sitting in Frankie and Benny's having a meal, with you singing along to all the songs. You chasing Richard across the crazy golf course as he had just been told off by the owner for hitting the heads off the flowers with his club, Shouting choice words from the bathroom in the bungalow after Richard smashed the window with a football while you were on the loo, we still cry with laughter at that today.  Becoming Erin's godfather, she is very proud of that, I remember you lying on our living room floor comforting her as a baby while she was crying in her car seat and you falling asleep holding her hand while she was wide awake.  Showing us nothing but love and compassion when life got tough for us and you invited the two of us for the weekend to get away from it all.  You both looked after us so well, we couldn't have aksed for better friends at that time.  Gay steve was my favourite impression, you were so convincing!  The all in a good way lewd comments, always followed by your best toothy grin, disppearing with Ian to "the shops" for hours and returning much merrier after a small libation eh!  The last time we saw you was in February, we hadn't seen each other for a while but as usual we slippped back into laughing, talking, drinking and eating like we had never been away, i'm so glad spent that time with you.  We have a wealth of memories of you between us all so you will never be forgotten.  We will continue to spend time with Sharon and your boys, remembering you always.  Rest in peace my friend.  A poem for you - I cannot say and I will not say that he is dead he is just away. xxxx