Today, we gather to honour the life of Graham Roberts, a man of steadfast love, quiet strength, and deep-rooted passions. Born into a large, bustling household as the son of May and Trevor, Graham grew up with eight siblings—Nigel, Derek, Geoff, Meryl, Linda, Sheila, Anne, and June—in a modest three-bedroom house in Whiston. With such a lively family under one roof, Graham learned early on how to navigate both the hustle of a big family and the importance of supporting one another. Space might have been tight, but the Roberts family made the most of what they had, and those close bonds formed the foundation for the rest of Graham’s life.

Graham attended Wickersley Comprehensive, but he left school at just 15 to join the workforce, he did a few things before going in to building work with his father-in-law, Edgar, and Ray, who became family friends. For Graham, building wasn’t just a job; it was a calling that combined his love for hard work with his natural knack for mechanics. Over the years, he explored a range of trades, from being a taxi driver in the late 70s and 80s to working as a repairman for Andrew Sykes, fixing portable heaters. His career took him into different roles, including as an electrician’s labourer on the Nestle contract with Lilleker Brothers, which involved work around Newcastle and York. He then worked for Centrica, where he worked across the North East, often staying away from home for a month and coming back only for weekends. During these long work periods, Graham shared digs with his colleague Howard, forming a bond that helped him through the separation from his family. In 2018, Graham finally hung up his work boots and celebrated his retirement with a meal at the Homestead, surrounded by family—the people he had always worked so hard to support.

Through every chapter of his life, Graham’s heart belonged to his family, starting with Janet, the love of his life. After a while their courtship led to marriage, Graham married Janet on December 2, 1972, beginning a lifelong partnership built on shared interests, mutual respect, and unwavering devotion. Together, they raised two children, Helen and Gareth, whom Graham cherished beyond measure. Janet and Graham were truly kindred spirits; they did nearly everything together, from weekend drives to visits to RSPB bird sanctuaries. They enjoyed birdwatching, and both were RSPB members, often sharing peaceful days by the sea and at local reserves, admiring the beauty of nature. Family holidays became their tradition, with trips to Scarborough, Bridlington, and the Flower of May Caravan Park bringing endless joy and unforgettable memories. Graham even ventured outside his comfort zone with Janet by his side—whether it was trying pasta and pizza on a trip to Italy or his first time on a plane to visit his sister Anne in Turkey with his brother Nigel and sister in law Joan, where they spent two to three weeks soaking up the sun and sights. They also had a shared loved of cycling. They followed the Tour de France, Vuelta a España, and Giro d’Italia together, even managing to watch the Tour de France in Scarborough, despite Janet’s illness.

As a father, Graham was a steadfast presence. He wasn’t one to show emotion openly, but his love was evident in his unwavering support for Helen and Gareth. He was the quiet, reliable rock they could always count on. Gareth, especially, thought of his dad as invincible, while Helen found comfort in his consistent strength and gentle guidance. After Janet passed in 2015, Graham adapted family traditions to keep the family close—spending Christmas Day with Helen and her family, then heading to Gareth’s for Boxing Day, ensuring he stayed connected with both of his children.

As a grandfather, Graham’s love and warmth blossomed even further. His grandchildren—Cameron, Caleb, Lily-Mae, and Jacob—held a special place in his heart, and they affectionately called him “Gangrad.” Graham was there for them in every way he could be. He took Cameron to Old Moor to teach him the joys of birdwatching, and his house became a haven where the grandchildren were showered with chocolate and sweets on their sleepovers. Once, when Helen found herself stranded with a flat tire on a day trip to Scarborough with the kids, Graham didn’t hesitate to rush out and make sure Cameron and Caleb got home safely, yet another example of his ever-reliable, protective nature.

Graham’s talents and interests stretched far beyond his career and family. He had a fascination with mechanics that stayed with him his whole life, a passion he indulged in through rebuilding and restoring cars and motorbikes. His vehicle collection included everything from the Mini Clubman he drove while courting Janet to a variety of Volvos. In fact, he had a love affair with Volvos, owning nine or ten over the years, and even became a member of the Volvo Owners Club. He took pride in his projects—once, while working at Andrew Sykes, he decided to respray his car, and in the process turned the entire factory green! His prized Volvo Amazon, registration OUR803D, even ended up on the show Heartbeat after he sold it.

Graham’s mechanical talents extended to smaller-scale projects too, like flying model helicopters and airplanes at Aldwark Flying Club and attending model aircraft shows across the UK with Gareth. He loved the intricacies of mechanics, and on a trip to Germany with his family, they visited the Miele factory—a highlight for him due to his fascination with engineering.

Graham was also an enthusiastic artist, especially with photography and drawing, often capturing wildlife and birds on his camera and sketchpad. He set up a bird feeder in his yard, filling it with seeds and fat balls, and would spend hours photographing the feathered visitors. Helen even used one of his bird sketches for a school art project, earning top marks thanks to her dad’s talent.

Music was another love of Graham’s, one that stemmed from his father’s involvement with the Fitzwilliam Singers. Graham joined the Anston Male Voice Choir, performing in many concerts and even traveling with the choir to Gutersloh in 1987. His family would often go to see him sing, and would enjoy his singing wherever he was.

Even in the quieter moments, Graham’s personality shone through. He enjoyed a pint now and then, favouring John Smiths or a Stella Artois, though he’d let the Stella sit a while, claiming it made it taste weaker.

One particularly special memory was Helen taking him to see André Rieu at the Sheffield Arena at Christmas in 2015. Janet had originally planned to attend the concert with her, but after Janet’s passing Graham’s stepped in to share in this wonderful experience for both of them.

And then, in Graham’s final day, a heartwarming moment—he rang Helen, saying he fancied some McDonald’s chips. She was already on her way, so Gareth fetched them, and together they sat, sharing a moment of comfort, watching a nature program. It featured monkeys, and without missing a beat, Graham casually identified the species onscreen, impressing them all. It was a simple, joyful time, and a beautiful reminder of Graham’s humour, warmth, and wisdom.

Graham Roberts was, in every way, a man who left his mark on the world around him. His life was filled with love, adventure, passion for the things he cared about, and quiet, steady dedication to his family. His legacy lives on in the memories we share, in the love he gave us, and in the countless ways he showed us what it means to live with purpose and heart. Thank you, Graham, for everything you gave. You will be deeply missed and forever loved.