The early years. (Read by John, Michael’s son)
 
-          Michael Wilfred Fitzpatrick, was born on 13th May 1942, in Ormskirk, to Bernard & Margaret, and was the second of three brothers.
Curiously, he didn’t talk to anyone other than Tony, until he was nearly 4 years old. A late starter? Perhaps, but it obviously didn’t hold him back very much.
 
Educated at St. Mary Magdalen’s school Penwortham, then at the Catholic College Preston, his qualifications allowed him to start an apprenticeship with English Electric on the day of his 16th birthday.
 
English Electric would later become BAE Systems, a company whose influence runs quite deep across several of our families.
 
-          Dad’s family later moved to Woodplumpton, next to open fields where horses roamed and where Dad would go to Worsley’s ballroom dancing lessons. At the time, this was the only place to meet people, albeit under supervision, of course.
Dad bought a scooter to commute to work, go to night school & to court Mum, who thankfully wasn’t scared off after a scooter accident left Dad with a broken collarbone.
 
-          After Dad finished his 3-year apprenticeship, Mum & Dad were married in August 1963 and, perhaps in a sign of their future travelling exploits, they ignored the expense and flew to the IoM for their honeymoon.
 
-          The family’s first home, in Lostock Hall, was rented from – and was located next door to – Dad’s in-laws. A pretty brave commitment for any new husband!
The rent of £1/week was tied to M&D helping at harvesting & haymaking on the farm, something they really enjoyed, as did we kids.
 
-          Dad was a self-taught pianist, who played accordion & electric organ. In their early years, much of their free time was spent on the road with The Travellers band, which Dad co-founded.
The band would play at all sorts of venues, including at Young Farmers’ events and the income received would help then to save for their own house.
Electric organs were not particularly mobile or lightweight in the 60s, so the family Mini Clubman was soon upgraded to a huge Cortina estate; all the better to transport 3-sleeping kids in the back, or Dad’s keyboards, amps and speakers.
 
-          Before the end of the 60s, Mum & Dad would move to a brand new house in Leyland, which would later be extended to accommodate the growing needs of a growing family.
Each of us kids held-down paper rounds for several years and, one year, I decided I needed a new bike. My negotiations with Dad saw him buy it for me, but, I had to repay him £5/month and get his signature in a notepad, for what seemed like half a lifetime! A very good lesson in personal finance! 
 
 -          As we took a growing interest in scouting, Dad volunteered his support in many different ways, from running the scout group as Akala for several years, to being Area District Commissioner for Cub Scouts and not least his musical direction of several South Ribble Gang Shows at Preston Guid Hall and the Charter Theatre.
If there are any photos of Dad dressed as a dame, playing the piano, singing ‘there’s nothing like a dame’, I would be delighted to receive them!
Annual summer camps at Silverdale were a real highlight for everyone. As a teenage lad, having Dad around was a bit uncool but, from the scrapes & incidents we enjoyed, I think Dad probably found the right parenting balance.
As Akala, Dad often found himself having to play nursemaid to some sickly lads, whose parents gave them a range of lotions & potions, with strict instructions on how & when to take them. When a parent asked in front of their child, if they’d taken their milk of magnesia before every meal, Dad ignored the wide-eyed boy and calmly said yes and produced the recently emptied bottle to prove it, much to the relief of a very thankful cub scout.
 
-          Dad took me to an open day at Strand Road once, where I saw huge machines the size of garages, but what really impressed me was watching a Warton flying display and, in particular, the ear-splitting noise & vibration from a very low-flying Tornado.
It is funny how a single incident can, sometimes, influence your whole career.
 
-          Mum & Dad also got the caravanning bug, in quite a big way. Often we would meet Tony & Barbara and our cousins on such jaunts, including at least once to Devon.
Meeting cousins on holiday was always fun but, as us kids turned into teenagers, the memories of muddy fields, distant toilet blocks, rainy afternoons and long slow drives back home would be overshadowed by thoughts of holidays on the Continent.
 
-          In the early-80s, Mum & Dad moved house again, though this time just around the corner.
You might have seen the ornamental music notes by the front door, which actually spell-out ‘Café B&B’; something which reflected the many visits they enjoyed from family, relatives, friends, work colleagues and neighbours.
During this time, I once drove home from my RAF apprenticeship, to surprise them one weekend – and to bring my washing home - only to find another family in our house! Thankfully, I knew which house they were planning to move to. Family communication is so much easier these days.
 
-          Dad’s calm parenting skills came to the fore in teaching all three kids how to drive.
Later in life, watching Dad drive, we did suggest that if he increased his driving speed just a little, the big lorries wouldn’t need to overtake him. However, he would just smile and continue to drive very carefully, perhaps comforted by the fact that he knew he would never get a speeding ticket.
 
-          Such a very full and a very generous life.   
 

The later years. (Read by Lynn, Michael’s daughter)
 
 
It must have been a challenge having 3 teenagers in the house. However, as John said, dad had his own calm way of parenting us. 
 
-          I remember as a teenager going to a party, I had a wonderful time - perhaps too good. The next morning dad woke me up because I had a sponsored bike ride with the Venture Scouts. I told dad that I couldn’t possibly go because I was ill.  Dad said he understood, not to worry and said he would help me.
-          I remember thinking that was much easier than I expected!
-          Dad then took me to the start line and helped me onto my bike.  50 miles later he met me at Chipping with a bottle of water and helped me home!
 
-          I remember that dad didn’t like it when as a teenager John kept slamming his bedroom door.  Dad told John to stop doing this or there would be consequences.  In true teenage style John slammed his door again.  Dad then walked up the stairs with his toolbox and calmly unscrewed the bedroom door while John watched from his bed.  Then dad walked away - with the door!
 
 
After 34 years at BAe, dad received the ‘brown envelope’ (as he called it) and was made redundant when he was 50. 
-          However, within a short period of time (and receiving his full pension!) he said it was the best thing that had ever happened to him and he then embarked on the next stage of his career.
 
 
After a 12 month break, dad started lecturing in Engineering at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN). 
-          He re-wrote their final year degree course and had over 130 students in his lectures at a time.
 
 
At 65, dad retired (again!) and to celebrate this he went on a 3 and a half month round the world cruise with mum. 
-          It was a very small ship with only 150 passengers and dad enjoyed telling people that they were still married at the end of it!
 
 
Dad’s favourite place from the world cruise was Antarctica, he liked it that much that he and mum went back for 3 weeks and then onto Easter Island. 
-          Mum and dad were fortunate to go on many trips.  Dad enjoyed researching their destinations and he gave talks on The Terracotta Army, the Panama Canal and Easter Island – 3 of his favourite places.  
 
 
 We have been fortunate to enjoy many family holidays with mum and dad where all of us have attended.
-          Dad’s 70th birthday was spent at Alton Towers with all 15 of us. The grandchildren thought that Grandpa was very cool to have a 3 day birthday party at Alton Towers, sleeping in pirate bedrooms with bunkbeds and having a 3 day fast pass to get around the rides quickly.   
-          Other family holidays with all of us included Centre Parcs, the Lake district, Wales, a 2 week cruise and many more.
-          On the cruise I remember dad playing the white, grand piano and wearing his white dinner jacket and red bow tie, with all 7 grandchildren around him.
 
Dad certainly kept busy in his retirement and enjoyed teaching the keyboard to the U3A and folk dancing – although he did get his left and right mixed up and was regularly told by the caller ‘not that right Mike, it’s the other right!’.
 
Dad also enjoyed doing recce’s for the Ramblers with mum.
-          They did get lost sometimes which didn’t fit well with his amazing time-keeping and organisation skills – he was always much happier when he was back on the right path.
 
Dad has always enjoyed being part of organisations and over the years was a member of the Catenians, the Production engineers, the Speakers club and he enjoyed helping the Knights of St Columba.
-          When dad was President of the South Ribble Catenians, we were invited to his Presidents dinner. Dad was early to the event (as usual!) and making final preparations when an inquisitive grandson set off the house alarm. No one knew how to turn it off and it was very loud; so dad had to race home, turn it off and then he calmly returned to the dinner.
-          In his white dinner jacket he reminded me of a swan, gliding along but probably paddling rapidly underneath.
 
Dad also enjoyed played the keyboards for the care homes. 
-          He said that he was looking for a place for himself – or for mum! 
-          Dad told me about an elderly lady with dementia who sang along to dad’s 1940s songs.  Afterwards her grown up daughter came to thank dad.  Her elderly mother didn’t remember who she was, but she remembered all the songs, sang every word and had a lovely time.
-          Dad also used to phone up and chat to the widows, he said that he wanted to give something back to the community.
 
Dad enjoyed helping here at St. Mary’s church. 
-          He played the organ for many years and was an Alter Server for the funeral services.  He was very organised and was always ready 10 minutes early - just in case the

incense went out or needed re-filling. 
-          But Father Jonathan was always last minute which made dad nervous, especially when the hearse had already arrived and there was no priest!
-          Dad used to say ‘I hope he won’t be late for mine!‘
 
Dad was the perfect gentleman and I know he would be delighted that we are all here today – and on time!    Thank you.