The obituary notice of Rodney WRIGHT

My childhood memories of Dad:-
I remember singing "I saw her standing there" by the Beatles at the top of our voices walking in the streets of Mallaig, Scotland.
I knocked a model train off a shelf when playing with a ball in the flat and dad caught it in both arms.
We listened to Spinners Christmas album and Kingston Trio albums on his record player.
We had car and train trips and holidays and travelled to Shrewsbury to watch football.
Our nights with TV series' and milky coffee when the girls were at Guides.
Fireworks nights at Eastlands Grove.
Running around Allesley in the evenings.
Him joining the school cross country to get me over the finishing line when some classmates and I stopped and walked.
Walking to school with me on snowy days.
Steam railways visits, he loved the locomotives from his childhood.

My more recent memories of Dad:-
Hours and hours of phonecalls every week for over 30 years once I had left Coventry.
Bottled ale buying and trying.
Christmas dinners at random times of year at his.
His visits to see us in Cornwall.
Him laughing with Steffi and making Daddy Pig noises outside of Bridgwater Services.

He was very supportive to me and I was happy in his company.

He was hard working and determined at work, but did well to leave it behind while still young.
He was also very caring when his parents and aunt were struggling with their health.
He was an amazing dad to me and my sisters, Father-in-law, Grandad and Great Grandad and will be missed immensely
My dad loved sport especially rugby, but our favourite to watch together was the Tour de France.

How lucky was I to marry into the Wright Family. I was very fond of my father in law. He always greeted me with open arms and a beaming smile. Such a kind and generous man with a great sense of humour. He loved a good laugh and had us all laughing,especially with his Daddy pig impressions,although Steffi said he sounded more like George pig with his little snorts.I will miss hearing his voice regularly on the phone and will miss the time we spent with him. Rod will be forever in my thoughts.

In his teens, initially on the rugby field at Bablake School and then later playing club rugby in Coventry, he was fearless, elusive and quite amazing to watch. I have no doubt that during his later years when playing five-a-side football, nothing had changed. John Andrews (former team mate at Coventry Sphinx) adds that he had never played with a more instinctive and talented rugby player than Rod. Coventry Evening Telegraph reports of the time, bear witness: 1963"Rod Wright in brilliant form with two tries"; 1971... "scored a try and a drop goal"; 1972 "gained the distinction of getting three drop goals". THREE IN ONE MATCH! And many more. Rugby fans will understand how good that is. Whenever he got the ball you would expect something special. Rod enjoyed travelling with Jonathan - then later with Phil, Wendy and family in North America. He was an avid collector, and amongst his many treasures there will no doubt be souvenirs from his visits with them

Rod was born in a blitz-ravaged Coventry during the latter days of the second world war. As both a young lad growing up in the village of Walsgrave, then in later years on the sports field he was fearless. He would have been about four years old when Dad made us scooters, using salvaged industrial ballraces as wheels. They were the fastest (and noisiest) scooters to have ever been constructed, and I must admit that I had been more than a little hesitant when racing him back to our house, near the bottom of Henley Road. Rod however, just went for it, top to bottom ... flat out. Heart in mouth I would see him steer perilously into our entry alongside the house, between two solid stone walls. He would be grinning ear to ear, and ready to do it again

As I think about memories of uncle Rod I recall thoughtful gifts and birthday cards… once he randomly sent me a selection of cadbury marvelous creations chocolate bars 🍫 and my bedside table will always remind me of him 🥰 I hope the ceremony on May 9th is a celebration of his life… I will be tuning in, with love 💕 Meredith

- We toured the Grand Canyon, the many geologically stunning parks in Utah. Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, the Smokey Mountains and several of the New England States.
He was always game for anything. We had him riding horses and riding wild roller coasters. He loved to visit nearby Mt. Rainier, the highest mountain in the Cascade range.

It was a characteristic of Rod's to identify and latch on to my interests as well as those of others.

Over the years Wendy and I have enjoyed caravaning, boating on the Norfolk Broads and on the Canals of Britain, and my latest hobby....owning and maintaining a classic mini.
Consequently, thanks to Rod I have an amazing collection of mini models and books. Our caravan is kitted out with caravan themed cups, dishes and trays that he sent over here along with books describing adventures in the early days of caravaning.

Then there are the umpteen books he found telling stories of canal Long boat adventures and the history of the British canal system, plus several cups and mugs adorned with canal scenes.

Add to this the various horse themed plates and pictures he has sent to Wendy, knowing of her fondness for horses.

Rod was my 'snail mail' correspondent for all these years and I'm going to miss that a lot. We'll also miss the constant supply of Daily Express 'Target' puzzles that the has been sending.

Truth is were going to miss Rod a lot, but we have many good memories and are surrounded by all his special gifts.

Love to All,

Phil & Wendy

Now!....where do I begin?

My earliest memories of Rod go back to about 1955 when I would be seven years old and my interests were in Meccano, Dinky Toys and Train sets.
Each month he would bring me the Meccano magazine filled with stories and photographs of what kids were doing with their toys and Meccano sets.
On the back cover would be the illustrated announcement of the latest Dinky toy that was about to reach the stores.

Rod would play for hours at the bottom of our Watson Road house. He loved the 'Owzat' Cricket game and would keep score on a notepad. I would arrive with my toy tour bus full of passengers whom I would sit on the bottom step of the stairs to watch the match.

I recall spending days train spotting at Hest Bank near Morecambe while staying with Grandma & Granddad Whitehead at the Lancaster Road hardware store.
Across the street at the side of the store was the Ribble/Standerwick bus depot where Rod and I were angrily chased out while gathering handfuls of used bus tickets from a sack hanging on the depot wall.

Rod's first car was a Triumph Herald on which, thanks to the Quality departments of the British motor industry, I found ample opportunity to hone my auto mechanic skills.
Rod was one of those fortunate drivers who never worried about that tick, rattle or clunk.
On one occasion our Dad and I heard a loud whining approaching when around the corner into Watson Road came Rod in the Herald.
When asked how long it had been making that noise, Rod answered “What noise?”

As adults we shared an interest in steam railways and would enjoy steam preservation society excursions.

On our visits to the U.K. we have always looked forward to country hikes followed by lunches at different country pubs that Rod had ferreted out.

During Rod's six visits to the U.S. We were pleased to share with him many of the scenic highlights.