GOD'S SERVANT
ALAN CALAMINUS
April 22nd 1949 - June 8th 2019

Our dear friend Alan, well what can you say, he was funny and enjoyed a joke, his laughter was catching, he was a good friend to everyone and would help anyone whenever he could. He loved to be with people enjoying a meal or a drink with his friends even enjoying a gin and tonic at the cinema. Our Sunday lunches with him were never dull.
He had a passion for the theatre and musical shows especially and one of his greatest pleasures was working with Bridgewater Operatics, he played many roles, directed shows and helped out whenever and wherever he was needed, often he could be found painting scenery.

It was lovely on his 70th Birthday to hear and share stories with some of his friends at his birthday tea in the garden of the Nursing home he had settled into so well, and I won't tell you what kind of cake he had asked for! And a member of staff dressed up for the occasion to, we shared a wonderful afternoon of laughter, stories and lots of pictures. He was the only person that I know to put on weight each week at Slimming World and we always laughed about it.

But most of all his greatest love was for his Lord and serving his Lord was always the first thing on his mind; especially here at St Peter's where he was a Lay Reader. Even during his illness and his last few weeks he wanted to serve the Lord where he could, he still wanted to know about all that was happening in St Peter's so I took him All Age Worship booklets to look at, the monthly newsletters and the weekly pew sheets to keep him informed, he still helped me plan all Age Worship and always had some good advice and we loved looking at the hymns together so I always felt his presence with me leading our Worship.

Over the many years Alan has led Youth Clubs, Alpha, House Groups, Bible Studies, Prayer Groups, formed a small drama group, been on many Committees, encouraged us all at PCC Meetings and led many forms of Worship. The list goes on. Alan was always where things were happening right at the centre.
His love of flower arranging, that he was so good at and I'm reminded of that every time I look up at the stained glass window where one of his creations has been since our 50th Church Birthday. He won a rosette for 1st prize for an arrangement he did for Brent Knoll Church this Easter whilst in the Nursing home, he was so chuffed.
The wonderful holiday clubs that we had here, which Alan led, he led them and I tried and I say tried to organise him but he never was up for being organised, so often we laughed when things unexpected happened, they were very happy times as anyone who was involved will remember well and very special to many of us here.
In leading our Emmaus group which I think lasted about 3 years we always ended up going down some primrose path or country lane but that was what made the course for all who shared it with him such a blessed time. He led worship so well and having been an English/Drama Teacher for so long he knew how to speak and get the message across.
A group of us from Church St Peter's & St Paul's shared a wonderful holiday in 2010 to see the Passion Play in Oberammergau. It truly was an uplifting experience and changed peoples lives. We then went to stay on Lake Garda for 6 nights. Alan entertained us in the way that only Alan could with the Ice Cream in the Ice Cream Parlours and the eating of chocolate! And then the evening in Sirmione when Italy were playing an important match and Alan was supporting the other side, I don't think the Italians knew what had hit them!!

We all of us at St Peter's your Church Family will miss you so very much but we will think of you often and give thanks for all that you did and what you meant to each one of us. On a personal note Alan I will forever miss your love, laughter the special times we shared outside of our Church lives, your guidance and your help. As a family we will always remember you with love and a great affection. Now you are at that Eternal Banquet in heaven which you so deserve and all your questions are now answered. You are now re-united with Bob who you missed so much and all those that you have known and loved.

May God bless you always and keep you in his care.
Until we meet again on that Heavenly shore.

All our love, your Church Family & Friends at St Peter's