A life well lived By Frank Hooley (Janet’s cousin, and a good friend of Peter) I am going to share some memories of Peter from his family, his life growing up, going to school, going to work, and getting married. Anything Peter did his family came first. He was very much a family man. Peter loved his sport. Football and bowls, I will tell you about later. Peter was a member of Walker Barn Chapel for over 60 years. Attending every Sunday, only missing when holidaying or ill. Peter had a strong faith, and I’m sure Sheil will talk about it more in her address later. Peter was born on the 10th August 1952 at Hindsclough farm, Macclesfield Forest. Son of Bill and Olive Dean, brother to Ruth and John and the late Sheila, Reg and Bill. Ruth told me she was 14 years old at the time, and her mother never told them she was expecting a baby. She could not understand that particular Sunday morning, when her mother was still wearing her night clothes which had never happened before. The off to Sunday school they were sent. When they arrived back, they had a baby brother. They must not have had a cot. Peters cot was in a chest of drawers. Peter used to joke, when he cried, they used to close the draw. Peter went to school at Macclesfield Forest and walked to school with his friend Clive Hobson. When Forest school closed, they came down to Clough school. Clive tells one day they did acquire some cigarettes from the Stanley Arms which they smoked in Philip Kirkham’s field. Mrs Hulley, the schoolteacher, found out, and said she would tell their Parents if they did not stop. I think they got the message. At the time Reg & Ruth lived at Midgley Farm, when Ruth got married, Peter’s Dad decided Peter should go and live with Reg at Midgley. Reg bought Peter a bike so he could get to school. Hilda Kirkham used to ride with him, as she worked for the schoolmistress. Peter some days went with Cecil Arrowsmith on the milk wagon, collecting milk from farms. Frank Tunnicliffe asked one day if he supported Manchester United and would he like to play for the Busby Babes? Peter said how old do you have to be?! After leaving Clough school, he went to The Macclesfield Central School. When he was fourteen Reg got married to Doreen. Peter, then went home to his parents for a year, then he returned to Midgley. Doreen says Peter was like a brother she never had. Peter worked at Midgley, and for Frank Findlow Doreen’s father and the Wallers at Blaze Farm. Peter, use to go dancing at the Winking Man that was where he first started courting Janet when she was only 14 at the time. But romance didn’t blossom until Janet was sixteen. They courted for a few years. The time came when Peter was going to ask her father for her hand in marriage. Janet and her Mum were in the living room waiting nervously. Peter went into the kitchen to ask her Dad and the first thing he said was ‘what does her mother think?’ After that he said yes! They married on the 26th of November 1977 in this church. They went to live in Newton Street in Macclesfield, then moved to Lindrum Avenue in Lyme Green, from there moving to Newlands Road at Broken Cross where they have lived for 34 years. When Peter was 27 years old, Janet saw a change in Peters health. He was coming home from work tired and would fall asleep in the chair. This was not like Pete. Being a nurse Janet thought there was something wrong, so she had him fast tracked to see a Consultant. Peter was diagnosed with cancer, a very tough time for the family. Peter was in the Christie’s Hospital for some time having chemotherapy and radiotherapy but after a year he was back at work. He worked for Macclesfield Borough Council. After that he went building, his last job was working for Premier Driveways, tarmacking and paving. Janet was working at Macclesfield hospital; Peter was the house husband cooking cleaning and gardening. He could put his hand to anything. Then Janet decided to retire in 2012. They then planned an eight-week holiday to Australia & New Zealand in 2013, meeting up with Margaret Moss and Doreen Dean in New Zealand and calling themselves the girls on tour, with Peter has driver & chef. Peter and Janet had two cats, Smokey Joe and Snowflake. Peter loved his cats, and whenever you called, they were always sat on Peters lap. I am going back to Peters love of sport. He won the fell race here in Wildboarclough in 1975. Football was his first love, playing in the East Cheshire League. We played opposite the Wild Boar, calling ourselves Winclough Celtic. Peter, Bill and Reg, were very competitive players. Peter had two famous sayings: ‘what are you doing’ and ‘that’s terrible’. I myself got some of that when giving the ball away or missing a goal. You would hear those words and some others, which I would not repeat in a place of worship. There are players here today who used to play Peter. Peter and Bill also played for Rainow in the Sunday League. They had a very good team in those days. Just before I go on to his bowling. Peter and Clive used to go out bike riding when there were younger. His love of two wheels many years later was when Peter and John bought motorbikes. They used to regularly go up to Tideswell visiting their brother-in-law Cecil and sister Ruth at their farm. Peter always took a bag of toffees to give to his nephews and nieces. Then we move on to Peter and his bowling, and it’s nice to see many of his bowling friends here today. He brought his competitiveness to the bowling green. He was a member at Lyme Green bowling club, and he also bowled for Macclesfield Farmers in the Cheshire County Farmers League. He not only bowled, he helped with maintenance at the green with his brother John and brother in law Alan. They built two shelters at the green. One was called after Peters very good friend Roger Jefferies who passed away 5 years ago, and the other one is called Deano’s shed. Peter spent a lot of time in there marking and going on to the green to measure. He brought his 2 famous sayings to the bowling green: ‘what are you doing’ and ‘that’s terrible’. If he saw someone not concentrating on marking, he would say, ‘if you don’t want to do it give it someone else’. He would have a go at players, calling Ray Turnock one wood Ray. He also had Joe Gilman in his sights if he bowled across his land or walked across his land his most famous saying would come into play. Peter was always winning competitions on a regular basis. Peter Allan and John had been working on a canopy at the pavilion to stop rain blowing in on people while they are marking cards, which was completed just a few weeks ago. This was Peters idea. Then in 2015 Peter was diagnosed with cancer again. He was in Manchester Royal for many weeks and had a major operation. Peters brother in law Philip used to send text messages every day to Peter, two reply’s stand out for me. 15/4/2015: Seem to be treading water at the moment not going forward or not going back. Looks nice outside here but not been out. 25/6/15: Still a bit tired been sat out of bed for 2 hours this morning, that’s a big thing for me: and they went on Philip has saved every text. Would we see Peter bowling again? Yes, we would. He was the Tiger Woods of bowls winning comps again. In 2017 Peter was having treatment again, but he still carried on bowling. In 2018 winning the averages in the Veteran’s and the A team and winning four competitions. Some weeks he pushed himself to the limit but wasn’t going to give up easily. Peter fought his illness with great dignity. He never complained; he had his rock with him all the time, his dear wife Janet who loved him very much and Peter the same, loved Janet so very much. Back in 2015 Janet would spend all day with Peter at the Manchester Royal Hospital, she gave him the inspiration to get back home and he did. They were able to celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends in 2017, and in 2017 also celebrate Janet’s 60th Birthday. They were the Team Dean. I think one word stands out most in this tribute is love. Everything he did, he loved to do. Just before l close l have a note to read out for Janet: - She has asked me, on her behalf, to thank all those who have cared for Peter over the years but especially over the last four years. There are far too many to mention individually she says, however: The staff at Salford Royal, Manchester Royal and Christie were always professional and caring; Peters GP and District Nurse team were there right to the end being accessible and supportive in their care. The Palliative Care team tried to make life as easy as possible for Peter, seeking to always meet his personal needs on an individual basis. More latterly the East Cheshire Hospice, both initially as an outpatient and then as an inpatient, provided a haven of safety and comfort for Peter and all the family par excellence...... Who knew that’s Peter would try reiki and come to love reflexology! All the staff seemed to share, what was in Peters case, an inevitable journey and were right by our side all the way. There are many family and personal friends who have been there for Peter and I and are still there for me. You know who you are, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. There is one individual though, I would like to thank in person, and that is Peters brother John. His love, loyalty and support over the past four years has known no bounds. God bless you John. My final thought on the 14th April 2019 for Janet and her family, Lyme Green Bowling Club and Walker Barn Chapel: a shining light went out Peter, we miss you so very much xxx