Eric was a humble man who brought laughter to many people, and so many people have said to his family in the last few months what a lovely man he was. He had a very dry sense of humour which he kept up to the end of his life, and would often have friendly banter with the family over Saints and Wigan rugby scores, leaving his final legacy in the derby a few days after his death, when saints managed a close win over Wigan to the disappointment but amusement of his granddaughters, who were convinced that he was responsible for the Saints win. He loved to watch sport and was very proud to support James as he played rugby as a junior and then for Leigh. Many of James’ friends from these times sent good wishes through face book, again saying what a lovely man he was. Eric embraced the internet, he wasn’t afraid of giving it a go, and made many friends all over the world through social media, some of these became special friends in Erics later years, and he met up with them in person, travelling the country. Eric loved to travel. As a young man he was posted to Egypt to do his national service, leaving Liverpool and going through the Bay of Biscay and stopping for a short while in Malta. Whilst he was in Egypt he visited the pyramids and the sphinx at Giza an experience that he acknowledged that he wouldn’t have had otherwise. During his days working at Rexpak he travelled to Belgium and Spain on business and this love of travelling continued with holidays to Italy and France with his best friend David, and later on with family holidays to Spain. Eric loved music and early in his life he learnt to play the trumpet. In 1945 he took part in a Victory parade in Hyde Park in London, he was selected from his local Air cadet band to be part of the parade and had the important task of raising his trumpet in the air to signal the band to start playing. He continued to enjoy classical music but his taste varied from classic to Dusty Springfield, Roy Orbison to Bruce Springsteen. Eric was artistic, in his young days a keen photographer and as he grew older he also loved to paint. He joined many art groups and exhibited paintings locally. One of his granddaughters was surprised a few years ago to see a painting of his hanging in the corridor at Wigan Hospital, and most of the family have paintings hanging on their walls at home, some painted as a special request, including one of Central Park, despite his reluctance to pay homage to Wigan rugby history. Eric moved from the south in the 1960’s, not afraid to take the chance and hoping to build a better life for his young family. This was his attitude throughout his life, always prepared to have a go and take on new opportunities, a strength that found him sometimes being more stubborn than necessary, but a strength that made him determined to remain independent. All these things were only parts of who Eric was, but the whole picture was of a kind, generous, loving man, who appreciated what he had in life and the love of his family and friends. He will never be forgotten, he will live on in our memories and hearts forever.