Richard Coward
Date & Time of Service
Wednesday 1st July 13:00PM
Location
St Peter's Church, Heswall
Branch:
Charles Stephens
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Change a Child's Life
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Messages of Condolence for Richard
Messages of Condolence for Richard
L
Didn’t know you very long but the time I had the pleasure of knowing you I will remember you were a funny and caring, kind person and you will be missed.
A
We miss you Richard. Thanks for the difference you made. You will never be forgotten.
Mrs Ford
So sad to hear of your loss. There is a deep sense of sadness that’s radiated throughout Forum. Richard’s big smile will be missed. Sending the family love and strength at this tough time.
Dawn Whitaker
Sending my condolences to Richard’s wife and daughter and his family. Even though he hadn’t been at Forum for long he is very much missed especially our little area with Ali, Lee and me – we did have some laughs. Thinking of you all at this very sad time.
Cath & Paul Harvey
Hannah, your dad was the kindest man. He truly loved to make people laugh but he also liked seeing and hearing others laugh. Quite often we’d tell each other stories of mishaps we’d had and we both we laughing with tears streaming down our faces. He found it hilarious when I told him about the time Paul fell down the stairs (he’d ask me to tell others about it just so he could hear it again and laugh at me laughing about it) and I’d be laughing when he told me about the time the freezer lid kept falling on his head and how he never thought to move it out a bit so the lid would stay put. He adored you and talked about you and your mum whenever he could; it was lovely. I’m so sorry for your loss and hope you can both find some peace. Your dad made mine and Paul’s day brighter.
Jan Blair
I didn’t know Richard that well but he always showed such care not only to Hannah but also to my own daughter. It was obvious to me how proud of Haanah and her wonderful achievements he was. More recently jemima was full
of giggles when she came home from a party telling me how much she had fun dancing with Richard & Emma and how much you all laughed together. He was always so kind and gentle, a lovely man x
Babs Williamson
Hi Hannah & Emma – I worked with Richard at Autism Together for many years; I was PA to the CEO. The admin team and I had a brilliant relationship with the IT team and we had so much banter between us…as well as mutual support. We called him Chuck and he called us Chuck 1, Chuck 2, Chuck 3 etc. He was so kind and helpful, trying to explain the finer points of IT, he never lost patience with us non-techy girls. A decent man, a wonderful colleague and friend – I am so sad he is no longer with you. Hannah, you were his pride and joy – he spoke of you often and we all knew he adored you. Hold on to your precious memories of happier times. RIP lovely man xx
Lisa Brocklebank
Richard was the best, a true gentleman, kind and helpful to everyone. He was always the first to offer help, nothing too much trouble and always with a smile.
I remember him proudly wearing his “Horse Dad” t-shirt as we set off to horse shows and pony club events and camps. He and Emma would organise sleepovers for the children, and regular trips to get pizza takeaway, even once camping in their horse trailer! He was always there for my sons too, who sought his expertise, when they accidentally down loaded a computer virus onto their laptops or needed a week of expertise in the IT industry. He patiently worked with them to solve the problem. He always had the time to talk, and took an interest in everything our family was doing.
Our children have grown up together on the farm, and we have so many happy memories, funny stories, and shared experiences that will remain forever in our hearts.
As a family, he will be so missed by all of us. Xx
Ian O (Sully)
To Emma and Hannah, I’m truly so very sorry for your loss.
Hannah, your Dad was deeply respected and genuinely loved, and he made a difference to so many people’s lives, including mine.
22 years ago I met a man who would change my life, Richard Coward. I was a nervous 20 year old, really just a boy dressed as a man, walking into a big office for what to me was a dream job interview. I was wearing a suit at least one size too big and felt completely out of my depth. I cried in that interview, I was so emotional and overwhelmed.
Richard gave me that job and in doing so he changed the course of my life. That is the kind of person he was. He believed in people and gave them chances, and he made a real difference without asking for anything in return.
Emma, I was honoured to be there celebrating when you and Richard got married, and I will never forget that Richard was there for me at my dad’s funeral.
Hannah, I hope you have many treasured memories of your Dad that will stay with you always.
J
Thank you for everything, Richard. It was pleasure to have known you, you would have been surprised at how many people wanted to pay their respects to you today and it’s no wonder, you were admired by all and the loss felt has been great. Thinking of your family at this saddest of days.
Jacqui Chatburn
Richard was a superhero to me! I will be eternally grateful to him for rescuing my little Isla from Telegraph Road on Halloween. He had been dressed up with Hannah trick or treating in the fog when we noticed that Isla had got lost and disappeared. In his selfless way, he dropped everything, jumped in his car and when calling her name round all the roads until he found her. I’m sorry we ruined Hannah’s trick or treating evening of fun, but Richard saved the day! I will never forget that foggy night and Richard stepping in to help me. 😇
Pamelala
Richard you were such a joy – kind, funny, always chuckling, and full of fun. Hannah, the love and pride he had in you shone through every time he spoke of you. Lots of lovely memories and cheeky funny jokes along the way…thank you xxx
Amber
Hannah, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing.
I just wanted to tell you that your dad was such a special person and how grateful I am for all the memories I have of him. One that always makes me smile is when we all dressed up in our Santa outfits and went on a Christmas hack around Heswall. It was so funny seeing everyone dressed up, and your dad always got involved in everything horsey, even when we were probably being a bit crazy! He’d walk for miles with us, take us to horse shows, and I’ll always remember his wonderful smile.
I’ll always be grateful for those memories, and I’ll always remember your dad so fondly.
Thinking of you and your lovely Mum and sending you all so much love. I know it has been a while since we have spoken and I can’t believe how much you have grown up, but please remember that I will always be here if you ever want to talk.
Amber Gasper
Emma and Hannah, I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. I was heart broken to hear of Richard’s passing, please know you are both in my thoughts, sending all my love to both to you.
Richard was always such a generous and caring man, he always wanted to make others happy and it bought him joy to see others smile. It’s what I’ll remember most about him, alongside his laugh and smile.
I wanted to share a few stories about Richard:
I remember one Christmas he bought Issy a ride on car (for her to ride round the garden) and he was so excited to give it to her – he could barely wait until Christmas Day. Only issue was he didn’t have a clue how to wrap it. So he spent ages trying to figure how to wrap, asking mum and dad for help – he was just desperate to see her face as she unwrapped it. In the end we didn’t have enough wrapping paper to wrap his enormously generous gift. But it didn’t matter as Issy was so thrilled the second she saw the car. And it didn’t take long until she was riding it up and down the garden.
A separate time, when Richard came to visit us in London, there had been an advert on the TV for the movie ‘Cars’ and it was being promoted as being a film for everyone, including girls. I mentioned this at dinner, and dad said I might not like it, as I didn’t have an interest in cars, clearly I looked upset. Seeing how disappointed I was the next day, Richard surprised me with a trip to the cinema to see ‘Cars’. He bought me a giant bowl of popcorn and we had an amazing time together watching a really great film. It might sound simple, but Richard did everything he could to bring joy to those around him, he cared so much for everyone he loved and these simple memories show his wonderfully kind heart.
Andy Hardy
So many happy memories of Richard, he was a great boss and a fantastic friend, it’s very rare to be both of those at the same time. Richard was instrumental in me opting for a career change in 2003, sometimes we worked crazy long hours at remote offices, tiring work but how did he make installing computer networks in the middle of the night fun?! Everyone in Richard’s team knew he had their backs. He was liked and respected by staff at all levels. He was one of those larger than life characters that made a difference to so many people. I’ll remember him as a man of integrity with a huge appetite for fun and for work and a ridiculously mischievous sense of humour (the number of times we were crying laughing). He spoke with warmth about his Mum and Dad and the love of cars that he shared with his Dad.
Emma, I remember when he first met you, (he went on a bit!), Hannah he was so proud of you and the person you have become, you both really were his world.
He will be missed terribly but never forgotten.
Angie Kemp
Hi Hannah and Emma. I’m Angie, I was Richard’s direct line manager for many years at Autism Together, I’m also now the CEO of the charity. I had hoped to attend the funeral, but I couldn’t make it as I had a meeting I couldn’t get out of. Richard (or Dicky, as I called him), was one of the kindest and most genuine people that I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I know he struggled with people and struggled to let things that weren’t important pass. This was because they were important in his eyes and he wanted everything to be right. Unfortunately we live in a world that can’t be right all the time that never sat right with him. I will always remember him as the tea loving, food loving, great guy, who would sit and listen to my rants and tell me funny stories and fix all the techy things that I struggled with. Although we had our disagreements over the many years, and he drove me mad at times, I was glad he was my IT manager when I was in charge of IT. I’m so sorry that you now have to live without him. Hannah, you were his world, he loved doing horsey things with you at weekends, he would always tell us what he was doing and then we would inevitably laugh together at his sunburnt head on Monday! I know his time at AT ended in a way that wasn’t the best, but please be assured that this is not how we will remember him. He was an amazing colleague and friend to us for many years and we will always think of him with love and affection. Take care of each other during this time and always remember that he had many friends in Autism Together and his time here really made an impact. Sending love xx
Andrea Wilkinson
My abiding memory of Richard is the look of LOVE , JOY, and PRIDE as he watched Hannah (aged 6 or 7) perform Let it Go (from Frozen) to a kitchen full of partygoers at our Xmas Party.
Elizabeth Brocklebank
Richard was one of the kindest and most humble men that I have been privileged to know. Growing up on the yard with your family has given me too many memories to even list here. Hannah, Richard would walk with us for hours with Lala and Winnie. We’d canter off but he’d never complain and was always so happy for us to ride further! Richard was a man of so many talents, the handiest man around who would always be so generous and help us out building and fixing all sorts of things on the yard, even when I’m sure he’d have rather have had a rest. He was always up for a good laugh. Whether that be our Christmas dress up rides or harmless jokes. He loved animals and was always so gentle and patient with them. It has been an honour to have been a part of all your lives through the ups and downs of horse riding and beyond. He doted on Hannah so much and believed you even when we were trying to get you back on a horse! He will be missed so much by us all (the animals included) and I will miss his fun, his patience and his kindness. Until we meet again xx
John & Janette Alkins
Emma and Hannah, John and I are so sorry for your loss, Richard was such a kind and caring man and I had the pleasure of working with him for many years. He often supported me with techy IT stuff when I had to work late or sometimes on Saturday mornings (I did ply him with sausage butties or cake!). We had so many laughs and we shared a wicked sense of humour. We would cry laughing together at the video of Nathan hiding in the server cupboard and jumping out on Ben when he walked in. He thought it was hilarious when I told him I’d shrieked when I walked into a life size paper mâché robot in one of the cupboards at work. Richard was one of a kind and touched so many lives. You were both his world and we hope the messages you’ve had and the amount of people who paid tribute to him give you some comfort. Sending love to you both and all of the family xx
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