THERE was a large attendance at Crediton Parish Church on the morning of Thursday, March 2 for the funeral service for Roy Beckett who died on January 20 aged 67.

The service was taken by the Rev Lewis Eden who said Roy had loved his family and friends dearly, a person who would help a friend whenever he could. 

He said Roy was born in Honiton in 1956, the family living then at Rackenford.  They moved to Shobrooke in 1970.

Roy had worked through the school holidays for Ken May.  On leaving school he began an apprenticeship with Ernest Jackson and Co in Crediton as a type setter but after making a mistake with a 5,000 label print-run, decided this was not for him and returned to Ken May where he worked for 12 years.

This was followed by a time at Yeoford Sawmills with his father, Joe, and then to Quicke’s at Newton St Cyres where he stayed for several years before moving on to work for Sarah Prouse at Creedy Barton, helping with the milking and general farm work. 

Then came a period with Quantum Construction Limited, working on the Science Building at Exeter University, flats in Cowley Bridge and Castle Ham in Okehampton.  

His last jobs were with A and S Paving making and laying paving slabs and then for Tim Way putting in swimming pools and log deliveries. 

Mr Eden said that on top of all that, Roy also worked in the evenings and weekends doing a host of other jobs helping people.

At Crediton Parish Church, Roy had helped to remove and then rehang the bells when they were refurbished in 2006.

He and Di were married 29 years ago at Tiverton Register Office.  The limo they had from Shobrooke and back that day was the first of a total of 62 limo trips Roy hired from stretch Lincoln Town Cars to half-a-million pound stretch Lincoln Navigators.

These took him, family and friends on memorable trips such as going to The Ritz in London for his and Di’s seventh wedding anniversary and for his Mum’s birthday. 

He and Di also enjoyed several cruises, mostly around the Caribbean area, making friends all over the world. 

Roy was also a keen cyclist, including 100 mile charity rides and Lands End to John O’Groats, his last one being another 100 miles for Ukraine.  

His funeral was followed by interment at Crediton Cemetery.  Donations in Roy’s memory were for the British Heart Foundation and may still be sent to A White and Sons, Albert Road, Crediton EX17 2BZ.