Gerald Foster Clark's obituary in this week's Congleton Chronicle

Mr G Foster Clark

Filled to capacity with close family, relatives and friends, St Luke's Church, Goostrey, was a place of laughter, song and tears last Friday as the village celebrated the life of one of the stalwarts of the church.

His funeral was a fi tting send off for Mr Gerald Foster Clark, a resident with his wife, Liz, for more than 35 years, who died last month.

Mr Foster Clark was just short of 77, having been born in Croydon and evacuated to Yorkshire from the worst of the bombing in World War II and died, in the words of many, after a "life well lived" with a great sense of humour, love of family and church, and a friend to many.

His children spoke of life with a dad who was fun, loved dressing up, family holidays and once, when disbelief in Father Christmas was expressed, took to the snow-covered roof to leave the children with the impression that Santa was indeed real.

Music and hymns provided by Congleton Choral Society were Mr Foster Clark's choice for the service of thanksgiving for his life.

Interment followed in Goostrey graveyard.

His coffi n was placed overnight in the church where he was a member of the choir and cross bearer.

It was revealed his wish was for his remains to be donated to Keele University for research, but only his corneas were taken.

The vicar of Goostrey, the Rev Heather Buckley, conducted the service, which included prayers led by the Rev Canon Tony Sparham, a former rector now retired and living in Scotland, who said of Mr Foster Clark: "He was always a man who could make you smile. Whenever you met him, he walked towards you with a lovely smile."