GORDON ‘Timber’ Woods passed away peacefully at Musgrove Park Hospital on Sunday, December 12. He was 83.

A funeral service was held at St. John’s Church, Bridgwater on Tuesday, December 21, followed by a further service at Taunton Deane Crematorium both conducted by the Reverend Geraldine Kirk MA.

Family mourners: Brendon Woods (son); Annette and Keith Jarvis (daughter and son-in-law) who also represented all of the Jarvis family in Worksop; Laura Jarvis (granddaughter); Matthew Jarvis and Lacey Fury (grandson and partner) also representing Faith Blossom and Esmay Rose (great granddaughters); Terry Woods (brother) also representing Jean (sister-in-law); Grant Woods (nephew); Tim Woods (nephew) and each also represented the members of their family in Southampton and South Africa; David and Janet Woods (nephew and wife) also representing Betty Woods (sister-in-law); Richard and Ann Bell and Anne Kitch; Mervyn and Jenny Woods (nephew and wife); Paul Woods (great nephew); Karen Davies (great niece) also representing Luke Davies (partner); Helen Aldridge (great niece); Ian and Kirsty Woods (great nephew and wife); Eileen and Mike Saunders (niece and husband); Ashley and Donna Saunders (great nephew and wife); Trudy and Tony Seaborune (great niece and husband); Steve and Mary Woods (nephew and wife); Sharron Morris; Ian Barnes (great niece, partner); Marcia Baker (niece) representing Julian Baker (partner) and Tracy Morris and family (great niece); Sam Woods and Jeremy Woodrow (great niece and partner); Gloria Durston also representing John Durston (cousin and son).

Karen Mouzoure (great cousin) also representing Norman and Janet Woods (cousin and wife); Mike Berry also representing all of ‘Timbers’ great friends and supporters at Bridgwater and Albion RFC; Hannah Warren and Teresa Warren; Jamie Laird; Steve and Sue Date; Mike Tucker also representing Janice Tucker; Jeanette Martin and Tracy Huxtable representing Sydenham House.

The family apologise if any names have been missed or misrepresented in any way.

The funeral arrangements were by H. Biffen & Sons Ltd, Wembdon Road, Bridgwater, with our particular thanks to John Biffen who guided us with a supporting hand during a difficult time.

There were beautiful family flowers and many generous donations to the Sydenham House Residents Trust Fund.

We would like to thank everyone for their kind cards and messages and we know that the thoughts of many others were with Dad and the family during this time, but who couldn’t be with us because of the extreme weather conditions.

We also thank the Rev Geraldine Kirk for the caring and uplifting way she delivered the funeral service and particularly Dad’s eulogy, all of which truly celebrated his wonderful life.

All of the family would also like to pay tribute to many members of the caring community, that helped Dad during his later years, notably Dr. Aird, Aileen and the District Nurses, Barbara Everett(Social Services),District Matron Jane Beagle ,Chris Strong and Dr Mackenzie Cranliegh House, Tina and the residents at Queen Elizabeth Court who welcomed Dad into their community and made him a friend. More recently we have to thank Jeanette, Richard ,Tracey and all of the staff at Sydenham House for their constant care and dedication in making Dad’s time there, comfortable, well fed and predominantly happy.

Whether as ‘Dad’, ‘Granddad’, ‘Pops’, ‘Uncle Gord’ or ‘Timber’, we will remember you for being happy,always singing, occasionally naughty, your kindness and generosity but most importantly, the unqualified love and friendship you gave to us all. Gone now to be joined again with his beloved wife Mary, he is already sadly missed, but will always be fondly remembered.