Here is a copy of the eulogy which has been requested and complemented on by a few attendees 

Eulogy


Good
morning
My
name is Margaret Pickford although I have always thought of myself as a gillon and I am the eldest. It is a privilege and a pleasure to talk to you this morning about the life, loves and achievements of our Dad, Arthur Peter Gillon


He
would be grateful and humbled to see everyone here who liked and respected him for his integrity, his sense of humour, his musicianship and engineering skills and his ability to give of his time to help and inspire


We
are honoured to have here today stalwarts of the brass band world, including Parr Band, representatives of the HMS Illustrious association and the Royal Naval association, his family, Arthur's wife and our Mum vivian, His children Kath, Pam, Pete, Rob, and Grand Children Sam, Justin, Asia and other relatives Rita, Denise(?) Margaret and Ann and Vivian's Family from Ireland. Our good wishes go to family who are unable to be here today, foster sister in Canada Barb, Ann Gillon and Margaret, Tony Gillon


As
I was writing this, I wondered what pieces of advice he would give me to help and there would probably be 2



Don't
Panic

Put
all your thoughts down on paper


He
was originally from Parr, from a humble background, and from photographs and snippets, he did not have an easy childhood. It was many years before he could talk about his Mum who died of asthma in 1939 when he was 10. He was then fostered by Mrs Purcel until he was 15. He retained a strong feeling of affection for Mrs Purcel and her family for looking after him at this difficult time.


Dad
was an only child. I believe this made him self reliant, a self starter, fiercely independent and he was never one to moan or admit to any personal weaknesses. As a family, we have all inherited those traits. This difficult start plus a strong marriage with his loving wife Vivian, made him all the more determined to develop a strong sense of family loyalty which we have all maintained to this day. Our grandad lived with us until his death in 1972. He retained contact with the cunliffe as well as the gillon side and supported mum to maintain contact with the moynihans. They were married for 65 years, brought up 5 children and 4 grandchildren He told me that he was very proud of the way his family had developed.


He
was very close to his Mum's sister and her family who we knew as Auntie Maggie. She lived on Parr Stocks Road very near the Bulls head which just so happened to be a Pub ( which serves Beer of course) where the band rehearsed and we would join him on Sunday Mornings to listen to the Band and afterwards visit Auntie Maggie. We remember her with affection and maintain contact with her family.


He
was also close to his Cousin Jack, who I remembered wizzing me expertly round the dance floor at the Town hall in 1976 when dad was playing in the dance band and I was performing on the piano and whose wife and daughter Margaret and Anne and grandson Kyle we are privileged to have here today


Dad
left school at 14, and became an apprentice lathe turner. He once told me that he was given a boiler suit but that he was required to wash it but he did not do so.At the end of his apprenticeship, it could stand up on it's own, it was that drenched in oil.


He
attended and taught at night school to get further qualifications which enabled him to get promoted at work. He learnt to be precise with numbers and measurement and that stood him in good stead throughout his life


Around
that time he also joined Parr Band, learnt the cornet, won slow melody competitions and in 1975 the band award him a lifetime service award. More recently after attending a brass concert in his wheelchair, he was referred to as a legend in the Brass band world. You will see some early photos of him playing at the wake. Brass band music was our first introduction to classical music, recognizing the Radetzky March and the William Tell Overture, Gilbert and Sullivan Songs because they had been played by the band. Mum would take us to were he was playing in Victoria Park, Taylor Park, Sherdley Park and Southport Botanic Gardens to listen to the band and even now I retain a strong liking for brass band music


Dad
was a dedicated musician to Brass bands turning up rain or shine at least twice a week for rehearsals and band events. When I asked him what he was most proud of, his love of banding was first. Playing in concerts, christmas carol events, walking days, contests and festivals and of course the whit friday marches in saddleworth. He played all over the uk and in the netherlands sometimes with family accompanying. He won slow melody competitions in his youth and his tone was instantly recognisable and culminating in playing last post and reveille to the men and women who were in the services.


He
did his national service in the Royal Navy on HMS Illustrious and made many Friends which he retained until today attending Illustrious events in his retirement. We are honoured to have representatives of the naval association doing the guard of honour for us today.
He
met the love of his life in the 50s and Mum and dad made a formidable team organising a successful 90th
birthday in 2019
He
became a lifelong engineer working for amongst others BICC and Pilkington's for 30 years a world renowned glass manufacturer. I remember him proudly taking me and sam round the world of glass exhibition in 2007.
He
maintained a lifelong interest and love of ships, engines and machinery of all kinds and took us to see HMS victory and Sam to see the giant moving robots and the railway museum in his 80s. He built a bathroom from scratch in Morley st, replaced a window in Dentons Green, and replaced an engine in a minibus he bought to transport us all on holiday. The only time I heard him use an expletive was when he was using a hoist to change the engine in the van– I heard was 'blood and sand'


He
prided himself on being able to fix and repair things as Mum will testify. Even mastering a computer, the internet, a mobile phone and tablet in his 80s. Although not the quickest as Mum will verify, he told us that he always had a 12 month plan, a 5 year plan and a 25 year plan. Even at 92 he was fixing and repairing the garage.


Dad
lived all his life in St. Helens. Every time we went out to the pub, to band, he would meet people he knew from work, the band world or from family and his memory for names, faces and backgrounds from his professional and musical life was legendary He took a keen interest in St Helens Rugby league and went to local matches and was proud of seeing them win the Challenge cup in 1975.
Dad
loved playing and would turn up at any band for a 'blow' including playing with the brass band at the music festivals I organised in the 90s.In the 70s he joined a Glenn Miller tribute band to play swing and played all over the northwest and their repertoire numbered 692. I performed with him on several occasions with the Northern all stars, based in Widnes and the citadel band and more recently brought the keyboard to their home to play for
A
project that was close to his heart in retirement was as musical director of the Citadel arts band , providing parts and organising gigs, He successfully applied for a lottery grant to support the running of the Citadel arts band,


Dad
was also an unpaid driver. Barb, Me and Kath regularly used to go to Moss lane rugby union club dances in the 70s,driving down a muddy road, muttering that all the flies would drop dead with the aroma in the van. On my 21st
Birthday Him and Mum, pete barb and friends, brought a buffet including sandwiches, crackers, and a cake to college in the back of the estate car.


It
is without doubt that he loved Mum deeply and was a romantic at heart, to the extent that when their health took a turn for the worse, he looked after her far longer than was healthy and passed shortly after he was taken into hospital. He loved Mum with a passion. He once told me that his favourite colour was blue the colour of Mum's eyes
I
am extremely grateful to my brothers and sisters especially Kath and Pam and pete, for the practicalities of looking after Mum and dad in the last 18 months . He would be impressed but not surprised by the events today In true mum and dad fashion they had written their funeral requirements and will by 2010!
We
have been very lucky to have had Mum and Dad around and in good health till recently. We loved him and his loss will be felt by us all for some time to come.




Thank
you for listening.