REMEMBERING THOSE
WHO HAVE LEFT US

MICHAEL DILLON who died on 1 November 2008

One view of Mike - shared so that we may all remember.

"I've been invited to say a few words about Mike on behalf of his many friends and small circle of relatives. I am honoured to have been asked; but I know I can't hope to convey how it feels now for those who were particularly close to him. So this is from me.

I knew Mike as a parishioner here. But I came to know him as a good friend as a fellow Catenian of some thirty years. We shared many a bottle of wine together. In his better days, Mike was something of a connoisseur in that direction.

Mike's death was a merciful release and, thankfully, he died peacefully fortified by the rites of the Holy Church. We have watched him become progressively more ill, in and out of hospital or nursing home, more and more incapacitated and eventually in need of 24 hour care.

But Mike fought on, as he did against cancer in his forties, and kept his independence for as long as he possibly could. His good humour, strength of character and endurance are an inspiration.

Throughout, he was tirelessly cared for and supported by those particularly close to him and visited regularly and reliably by good friends.

By looking back I can only hope to catch a tiny bit of Mike, the man. He was born here in Preston in 1942 into a strong Catholic family and went to St Wilfred's, then across the road to Preston Catholic College. But did you know he was a bit of a musician in his youth, playing cello in Preston Youth Orchestra?

After school, he went straight into driving jobs and that suited him just fine because he was mad about cars. I was always pretty impressed at the high-end car models I'd see parked on his drive at Little Broad Oak Farm .... not to mention his massive garage, kitted out like a pit stop. Formula One was a particular passion. Every year, he and a special group of work friends went off to Le Mans. He followed this last Formula One season closely and it's sad that he just missed the thrill of seeing Lewis Hamilton's championship win.

I was looking at a scary newspaper cutting of Mike the other day. It shows two men and a Mini, registration SBV 975.

The caption read "Mike Dillon's Mini Cooper S topples on its side as he does a quick 360 degree reverse. Two would be rescuers dash to help but Mike is unhurt and his car only slightly damaged"!

Those were his Longton Motor Club days.

He went on to make his passion his livelihood when he joined up with his friend Mike Davis to run Rallyequip (a specialist spare parts shop on Friargate) - a shop that men couldn't walk past.

His leisure time in those days was spent in the Lakes caravanning and boating ..... never quite mastering water-skiing !!

Mike then joined the Catenian Association, which meant so much to him all his life, and it is testament to his popularity that so many Catenians have turned out for him today to join his many other friends.

Although cars were his passion, he turned his mind to Finance and became a very successful financial advisor. He was very well respected and he formed many close, lasting friendships with both colleagues and clients. He became a member of the industry's prestigious Millionaires' Club (for selling over a million pounds worth of financial products) and a first-class traveller of the world.

This was the dawn of Mike's debonair, sophisticated period. Hawaii, Florida, cruises, white tuxedos, brandy alexanders ..... some enviable photo snaps.

I have a great photograph of Mike taken, I think, at a Catenian do at Hoghton Tower. He's sitting side on, dressed immaculately in dinner suit, white starched dress shirt with stylish dickey bow exuding confidence and charm. Convivial, relaxed. At the height of his powers.

His home base was Little Broad Oak Farm. He loved it there, filled it with antique treasures, brasses and plates neatly arranged on racks ..... and entertained generously, mine host dispensing cocktails from the bar in the corner - another memory of Mike in his prime. Many years later, I could only begin to guess how it felt for him to have to move out because he could no longer manage. And the amount of stuff there was to clear out! And the amount of stuff he refused to clear out! Mike was a master hoarder!

While he was still able, he used to join a small group of us for lunch on a Wednesday at the Golf Club. An abiding memory for us will be of Mike scooting up the ramp at the back of the Clubhouse. One of us would get him a small bottle of Chenin Blanc - it had to be chilled - while somebody else rushed to open the door for him. Although he couldn't always join in with his former vigour and wit, his Wednesdays were a special part of his week - and we miss him.

Mike had the knack of making people feel special, attending to detail, expressing his feelings in little as well as lavish ways. He was a gentle man - clever, articulate, sensitive. Those who knew him best have their own countless, private tales of his affection, concern and generosity.

One of his express wishes was that his relatives and friends should come to the Reception in his honour at the Golf Club; it is fitting it should be a Wednesday lunchtime."

Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him,
may he rest in peace

THANK YOU

Friends & family of Mike, whose Requiem was on Wednesday 12 November 2008, would like to thank Fr Austin and all who helped to make the service so special.

The support of so many friends was extremely comforting and it was a privilege to feel part of such a loving and prayerful community.

Thank you to the Choir, Catenians, special friends who took part in the service, for cards, letters of condolence and donations to St Catherine's Hospice.

May God bless you all.