John Croome
 
Eulogy and Memories
John Croome was born on 10th July 1934 to parents Molly and Victor Croome at the Old Bristol maternity Hospital in Clifton. John has a brother Michael who lives in Australia. Johns’ sister-in-law and nephews will be watching this service on line.
John had a cousin Peter Croome and they were very close, just like brothers. Peter passed away in 1996, Peter’s wife is here today and they are both in our thoughts today.
 
John crew up in a flat in Osbourne Road Clifton and went to St Johns primary school at the roundabout at the top of Whiteladies Road, Clifton. Then he went to a private Senior School – also called St Johns, on the Downs.
In 1947 the family moved to 52, Trelawney Road, Cotham, this big house was the family home until John and Iris moved to Failand in 2001
 
At 14 years old John started playing for Sneyd Park AFC, following in his father’s footsteps. We have a tribute from Bob Ewin on behalf of them so I won’t go in to detail. 
However, on Iris’s behalf from the games,  Annual diners, trophies to great friendships and a real commitment to family, they have been a great benefit to her, John and the family. So, thank you from Iris.
John left school at 16 and started work at Pritchard’s Estate Agents in Clifton, he went on to serve 2 years National Service with the Army in the Pay corps. He was stationed in Egypt  and his duties  included guard duty and being a lifeguard.
It was there John developed his love of swimming and sunshine, also John had played Water Polo. Did you know that  he once swam from one side of the Suez Canal to the other?
 
In March this year John took an interest in the grounding of the Ever-Given container ship which blocked the canal. I’m sure he would have a view on this.
 
John went on to work in administration for the Gas Board and then on to Rolls Royce where he worked in the Cost Office.  This was fate because Iris was  working there as a computer Operator.
 
One day in 1966 ( a significant year for any footballer) at a cricket match, John offered Iris a lift home in his Morris Minor 1000.
Later that year John needed a date for the Football dinner dance and Iris’s friend Pearl matched John and Iris for the date. Iris made it very clear that this was for one dance only.
However, that night John declared “ I’m going to marry you” there were many dances that night and it is a bit of a Cinderella story as Iris literally lost a shoe and struggled to walk up Park Street!
 
It was not long before John properly proposed, Iris accepted and they chose a ring together from a jeweller in Gloucester Road Iris kept the ring on from that moment on. That was the start of their engagement.
They married on 8th July 1967 – Iris’s wedding ring had belonged to John’s grandmother. After the ceremony they went back to Johns parents for celebrations followed by a honeymoon in Barmouth, North West Wales.
Iris and John continued to live in the family home and Allyson was born in 1971 and Sarah in 1972. 
 
John left Rolls Royce in the late 60’s and worked for Bolloms Dry cleaners a Regional Manager
After this he worked in Management for Home Counties Contract Cleaning and then was head hunted working for Knight and Company –Mitie Contract Cleaning.
John retired at the age of  60
Family holidays were in their static van at Ladram Bay. They would go nearly every weekend Friday to Sunday evenings. On arrival at the site Sarah would be dropped off to get the fish and chips whilst the rest of the family set everything up.
Allyson and Sarah had to stay on top of their homework so this was taken with them.
 
John and Iris had many happy holidays at their apartment in Madeira, they enjoyed walking holidays in France and went on a Mediterranean Cruise.
 
John was a doer, not a watcher of TV and films. He famously fell asleep during  a live performance of Les Misérables in Birmingham on a coach trip with Iris and her sisters   
 
John was a Martini sleeper – you may remember the advert: ‘Any time any place anywhere’ – he was big on snoring too such that on golfing trips away, no one was prepared to share his room.
 
In time  the girls were married; Allyson to Tim and Sarah married Carsten. With them having left home and John’s mum having moved to a retirement flat, John and Iris decided the house was too big and they moved to Failand.
 
This was perfect; a beautiful home with a lovely garden, no stairs, no daily parking problems.
 
Sarah and Carsten’s children came along, Isabella first, and Callum two years later. The home at Failand proved to be ideal  for family get togethers and celebrations with the children and grandchildren. 
Life was good.
 
There is an old saying; ‘Behind every great man is a great woman’ a bit dated but certainly this applies to John. Iris has always been the practical backbone of the family; making things happen quietly in the background. For example, a Christmas quote from John to Iris is 
“ What have I bought you this year?”
 
Iris, your support to John meant he could do fun things with Allyson and Sarah. He taught them how to ride a bike and how to swim.
I remember Sarah saying her dad once asked her and Allyson what they were doing at home one day, only to get the reply;
‘It’s the school holidays dad!’
 
Iris and John are an example to us all with their 54 years of marriage.
The big anniversaries were always celebrated; The Silver  was celebrated at Redland Tennis club, The Ruby at home in Failand and the Golden at the Aztec Hotel, the venue for refreshments after this service.
 
Generally, John did quite well through covid, but it was on 22nd July his health had deteriorated so badly he was admitted to Southmead Hospital.
 
John died on 13th September and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
 
 
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