Thank you all for being here today to remember the life of a wonderful, unique man.
In his youth Rupert was known for being a bit of a scrapper but this all changed when he had his family, though the fighting mentality always remained within him and served him well during the latter part of his life.
The last six months of his life were particularly unkind and extremely difficult for him, and although it was one of the few battles that he would not be able to win, he continued to fight like a warrior until the very end with his wife, daughter and sister at his bedside.
There were two things that Rupert hated most in life - hospitals and churches - and although he spent too much time in hospital throughout his last few months, Tina and Joan were always by his side so that he was never alone.
Rupert had many attributes, and was specially recognised for his hard-working attitude and his big strong shovel like hands, not forgetting his wonderful smile and enough energy to light up any room. 
He had an amazing ability to turn his hand to a multitude of tasks and would give anything a go… at least once anyway!!
Rupert was also known as a giant amongst men but a gentle giant who would help anyone regardless of whatever was going on in his own life.  He was always happy and never complained or raised his voice. 
He was truly one of a kind, an absolute gentleman. He was a legend and fondly known by many as the Angel of the South.
Rupert met his wife Tina when he was 21 and she was just 15.  A year and a half later they were married…in a church…so it must really have been love.
Along with Tina came her brother Derek who instantly became part of Rupert’s family. 
Though Derek was officially Rupert’s brother-in-law, he was so much more than that - he was his brother through and through regardless of their bloodlines.
For many years, Rupert and Tina lived together in Houghton where they raised their nephew Nathan. When Tina fell pregnant and had Kayleigh and they were overjoyed to have a little girl as they felt they already had a son in Nathan and that their family was complete.
Rupert loved his family immensely, and when Nathan had flown the nest and Kayleigh had reached her teens they moved to Andover where they were very happy.
Rupert was a very sociable character and liked nothing better than having a drink with friends.  He was also a proud van and motorbike owner.
Rupert worked extremely hard all his life to provide for his family and decided to start his own business relatively late in life.  Although he was a little apprehensive of the change, his family never had any doubts that it was the right decision and Derek supported him more than anyone through the transition.
Their belief in him was rewarded, as he was extremely successful and only wished that he had gone solo sooner.  
Kayleigh married her partner Sam who Rupert loved dearly. He recognised his son in law as a kindred spirit and they spent many of their days working together and many of their nights drinking copious amounts of Whiskey! 
Rupert only ever had one concern when it came to Sam - it was not regarding Sam’s love for his daughter, which was never in doubt, but more to do with his lack of care and maintenance of his tools.
Kayleigh and Sam gave Rupert and Tina a beautiful grandson Ruben who they adored. Then Nathan and Hannah also gave them Freddie.  Both Rupert and Tina felt very lucky.
When Kayleigh and Sam moved to France a year and a half ago, Rupert was so proud of them for having the courage to follow their dreams. He loved going over to visit them and was in his element with all the renovation work they had to do…but he always took his own tools… and kept them safely away from Sam!
Rupert and Tina were planning to move over to France next year when Rupert retired. 
The family would like to give a special mention and big thank you to Mike for his chauffeuring services of late and to Marion for coming out of retirement especially to be Rupert’s own personal Macmillan nurse.
The family all feel extremely fortunate that Kayleigh married into such a wonderful caring family and to have Mike and Marion in their lives.
Last of all but by no means least, a special thought for his younger sister Joan who he called his ‘little gopher’ and who was at his beck and call day and night and who didn’t leave Rupert’s side throughout the time of his illness.
The family are heartbroken to have lost such a wonderful and perfect husband and father and though words can’t begin to express how much he’ll be missed, they are so grateful to have had him in their lives. He will always be loved and never forgotten.