Eulogy for Middlesex Through and Through Terry Abbott

HERE'S THE EULOGY FOR TERRY ABBOTT PRESENTED BY HIS GOOD FRIEND JOE AT THE FUNERAL. MANY REFERENCES TO MIDDLESEX CCC ARE MADE. THE TRIBUTE MOVED THE WHOLE CREMATORIUM;

Born on 8^th December 1945 to Win and Bert, Terry had a happy upbringing in Willesden North London

As Terry grew up and into his teens, he very soon met the love of his life.  As with any couple, over the years they had their ups and downs but at the end of the day they were always totally devoted to each other. Yes, Terry and Middlesex County Cricket Club were totally devoted to each other.

Oh yes, and Tel also met and married Val

Tel now had the two first passions of his life.

As Terry, Val and Middx CCC embarked on their life together, another passion moved into their lives when in 1970 Tony was born. So now they were four.

This was not the end though of Terry and his passions by any means. When in 1974 when the four of them moved to Hatch End Terry was to meet another. And that was Parkfield Sports and Social Club.

Terry played cricket and football for the club but when he was nagged during one summer to stop playing cricket by Middlesex CCC and come and watch them more he obeyed immediately although I do suspect that Val had something to do with that as well.

On the football side however there was no stopping him. He played for the club until he was fifty years of age and played for every eleven from the 1^st’s to the 8^th’s captaining several of the sides.  Even after he stopped playing, Terry could not leave his Parkfield and went on to manage the 2^nd eleven for several years.   However, I remember him saying to me one time that irrespective of all the league titles and cup finals he won over all those years, his proudest moment was when he played alongside Tony (his son) for the first time.

And so they all moved on, Terry, Val, Tony, Middx CCC and Parkfield Sports and Social club. The family was getting rather large now.

But, it was not to end there and Tony met Jane (mmm, film title there) and Terry had yet another passion. Tony married Jane, and  Tel and Val, Tony, Jane, Middx CCC and Parkfield Sports club were blessed with first Holly and then Zoe. Terry loved his grandchildren very much and it was always a joy to see his face whenever he spoke of them as it always glowed with pride and love. In fact as Val told me earlier this week it was a sure way of  getting Terry to do anything vaguely DIY around the house as she would always say “it will be good for the girls” and then Terry would jump right to it !!

Talking about Terry’s DIY skills we shall never forget his invention of using Tippex to fill in unpainted cracks in the walls, his use of stabbilo on absolutely everything, and most famously when Mick was doing some electrical work at the house, Terry having been given a light bulb to hold then went and washed it, due to its dusty condition and then pass it back to Mick to pop back in. Classic!!!

Still, Terry and his passions are still not complete however. He had a great love of music especially artists such as Cleo Laine Katherine Jenkins and Lesley Garret. He was often to be found in the front row of the theatre when they performed and loved every second.

And so, you have no doubt got the gist of my ramblings by now. The words Terry and passion went hand in hand. If he loved someone or something it was 100%, no half measures.

And so Terry, on behalf of

Val,

Tony,

Jane,

Holly,

Zoe,

Middx CCC, and the famous Turkeys

Parkfield Sports and Social Club

(Pause)

Cleo Laine,

Lesley Garrett

Katherine Jenkins,

And the rest of us sitting here today,

Thank you Terry, thank you for your passion.

Night night my friend, sleep well, and see you

again in the Big Pavillion.