You have to use so many words to really capture the essence of who Maurice Straw was, and for his family, always will be. He was wise, fair, funny, stubborn, maddening and cantankerous in roughly equal measures. Most of all though, Maurice was steady, somebody who always knew just what to do, right when you needed to know.

Maurice was remarkable in so many ways. He never gave a straight answer when asked a question, preferring the infuriating response of “we’ll see”. This usually meant yes, but that would have been too easy and wouldn’t have irritated those asking the question nearly enough. However, when he didn’t want to do something there was no changing his mind, no matter how hard you tried he just wouldn’t budge!

Maurice’s generosity was boundless. He was always the first with his hand in his pocket to pay for drinks or a meal, and if you ever did manage to treat him, a gift of greater value would soon arrive on the doorstep!

Maurice was a very wise man, he read a lot and knew so much. He was always calm in a storm, the one person you could always turn to in a crisis and who would quietly steer you down the right path. He never pushed his opinions on anyone, but had a point of view on everything and was quick to share if you asked, usually over a pint!

Sometimes his stubbornness actually helped, particularly with his computer. Nothing  was going to stop him learning how to use it and he kept going, through one challenge after another. Many would have given up, but not Maurice! He used the computer to email his grand-daughters, complete puzzles on-line every night and make music and photo CD’s for all. As the guides in his hands tightened and his grip faltered, he found it harder to type and was very reluctant to hold his granddaughters when they were babies, however when it came to holding his pint, he devised some pretty ingenious ways of raising that glass! 

Those who knew Maurice, know that he dealt with one or two medical conditions during his time! Whilst in almost constant pain, he always played down his ailments, never complained and had complete faith in the medical profession. He had his first heart operation in 1953 and it’s widely acknowledged that his laid back attitude kept him alive all these years. His family and friends are enormously grateful that he made it into his 78th year, when so many times they thought that he wouldn’t see his granddaughters grow into the beautiful girls that they all are today.

So, by whatever name you knew him, Maurice, Mojo, Strog or Grumpy, next time you have a pint or a glass of wine, please raise your glass and proclaim a toast to an extraordinary man. A man who was a friend to everybody he met, was adored by his family and is sadly missed by all.

You have to use so many words to really capture the essence of who Maurice Straw was, and for his family, always will be. He was wise, fair, funny, stubborn, maddening and cantankerous in roughly equal measures. Most of all though, Maurice was steady, somebody who always knew just what to do, right when you needed to know.

Maurice was remarkable in so many ways. He never gave a straight answer when asked a question, preferring the infuriating response of “we’ll see”. This usually meant yes, but that would have been too easy and wouldn’t have irritated those asking the question nearly enough. However, when he didn’t want to do something there was no changing his mind, no matter how hard you tried he just wouldn’t budge!

Maurice’s generosity was boundless. He was always the first with his hand in his pocket to pay for drinks or a meal, and if you ever did manage to treat him, a gift of greater value would soon arrive on the doorstep!

Maurice was a very wise man, he read a lot and knew so much. He was always calm in a storm, the one person you could always turn to in a crisis and who would quietly steer you down the right path. He never pushed his opinions on anyone, but had a point of view on everything and was quick to share if you asked, usually over a pint!

Sometimes his stubbornness actually helped, particularly with his computer. Nothing  was going to stop him learning how to use it and he kept going, through one challenge after another. Many would have given up, but not Maurice! He used the computer to email his grand-daughters, complete puzzles on-line every night and make music and photo CD’s for all. As the guides in his hands tightened and his grip faltered, he found it harder to type and was very reluctant to hold his granddaughters when they were babies, however when it came to holding his pint, he devised some pretty ingenious ways of raising that glass! 

Those who knew Maurice, know that he dealt with one or two medical conditions during his time! Whilst in almost constant pain, he always played down his ailments, never complained and had complete faith in the medical profession. He had his first heart operation in 1953 and it’s widely acknowledged that his laid back attitude kept him alive all these years. His family and friends are enormously grateful that he made it into his 78th year, when so many times they thought that he wouldn’t see his granddaughters grow into the beautiful girls that they all are today.

So, by whatever name you knew him, Maurice, Mojo, Strog or Grumpy, next time you have a pint or a glass of wine, please raise your glass and proclaim a toast to an extraordinary man. A man who was a friend to everybody he met, was adored by his family and is sadly missed by all.