Tom was my ex father in law and I first met him when I was 18. That was in 1970. At the time I had only once been north of the Watford Gap and so one of the first things that struck me was his Northern accent. I can hear his voice in my head now. The second thing was the twinkle in his eyes and his forthright and down to earth manner. As a teacher he was very at home with and relaxed with teenagers. In time of course I got to know him much better and spent many hours in his company. He was grandfather to my two sons and spent time with them in school holidays helping them build a doll's house complete with working lights. I don't think there was much interest in putting dolls in it! He always seemed to be a man who was comfortable in his own skin and at peace with himself. My thoughts are with him wherever he is now and with his wife and family.