We attended Mike's funeral today at Trinity Methodist Church, in Leicester. We were also joined by Xinia and "Mr Xinia", from here on RootsChat who many of you know.
The church was filled all the way to the back pews, and the singing was magnificent. Mike had served as a steward of the church, and he remarked in the past to the minister that he considered himself a servant to the church rather than anything grander than that. It is clear that Mike lived his life as a servant to others in many aspects of his life. On remembrance day last year, the minister recalled, Mike lit the remembrance candle and so today it was so incredibly fitting that the minister lit the remembrance candle in honour of him and read the same passage that Mike did.
Mike was a devoted Christian, and it was so very fitting that the poem "Footprints" was read, along with Psalm 121 and ending in the triumphant hymn "Thine be the Glory".
His son made a wonderful testament to his Dad's life, where we learnt more of Mike, his background and his walk through life. He recalled both the good and painful memories, and the passions and interests that Mike had. One of Mike's biggest passions was in scouting. The flowers on his coffin were in the scout colours, and a line of scout leaders stretched the whole length of the church as his coffin passed them in his final journey.
Thanks was given to his online friends in genealogy for the messages of condolances that you left, which has brought great comfort to the family.
We left a printed copy of your messages for his family.
We would also like to thank Rachel and the family for giving the invitation on here to join them in the celebration of Mike's life.
Trystan & Sarah
RootsChat
