I would like to thank all of our family and friends for your support over the last 16 months and especially over the last few weeks.  It has been overwhelming and each card I have received or story that has been told about John has been a great comfort to me and our family

I always knew that John was going to be a character from the very first time I met him – it was on a course and he deliberately muddled up a PowerPoint presentation I had been working on - I only had to look at the big smile on Johns face to know who the guilty party was!

The road to us becoming a couple was understandably difficult and then some time later we became a new family of five with Kate, Mark and Kirstin all under one roof.  It was challenging at times to say the least but we got through those years like we always did - working together as a team and they haven’t turned out too bad for our parenting!

John was the inspiration and driving force behind our Company, Firesafe Solutions.  We both gave up good jobs with Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service to set it up - looking back it seemed mad – we had a big mortgage and 3 children to support but I had complete faith in John and over the years the Company went from strength to strength and we never looked back.  We have a great team, who, whilst John was ill stepped up and ensured the Company ran like clockwork using the standards that John had instilled in them over the years, and for that I am eternally grateful to all of them.

To everyone who knew John, you would know that John had no OFF button!  From the moment he woke up to the time he went to bed, he was on the go!  As soon as he got home from work, he would set to cutting the grass, pottering in his garage, mending things, making things – he just never stopped!  And if he wasn’t fixing something, he was out running for miles or out on his motorbike.  Or organising totally mental motorbike trips or signing up to run across the desert for 5 days!  There really was no end to his enthusiasm for life and making the most of every day.

John loved a get-together and so we were a good match from the start - Christmas gatherings, Bonfire Parties, birthday celebrations, any excuse really – as long as his family and good friends were there, he was in his element.

He also had a habit of saving people.  So often when we were out and about he came to the rescue of people who had got themselves into a spot of trouble.  We always felt safe when John was around, he was everyone’s helper, everyone’s fixer, everyone’s mentor - he was a real life super hero.

John was my absolute rock.  When I was upset, he stayed calm. When I was worried, he said it would be OK.  He always knew exactly what to do in any given situation and was the voice of reason when it was needed.  He was devoted to the children and their strength these last few weeks is a testament to me that this comes from all that John taught them.

We were together 18 years and we really did have the deepest love, the happiest marriage and most amazing partnership I could have ever have wished for. He was a true gentlemen and he always made me feel deeply understood, truly supported and completely loved - I will carry that always.

John and I did not get enough time together.  But as heartbroken as I am today, I am equally grateful.  Even in the last few weeks of the darkest and saddest moments of my life, I know how lucky I was to have been John’s wife.

Things will never be the same for any of us, but the world is better for the years that my wonderful husband lived.

John, I love you so very much.  You will always be my Superman xxxx