CRESSWELL, Malcolm Ian Cresswell

He was born in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, UK, into a family of five brothers and one sister. His father died six weeks after the outbreak of WWII, leaving his mother with a month-old baby. The family pulled together through the toughest of times, with elder siblings leaving school early to get jobs. Across the years they all remained very close.

After attending Tiffins Grammar School, Malcolm left, aged 16, to work for a bakery supplier firm before joining the Royal Air Force.

He spent nine years with the RAF, leaving as a Flight Lieutenant in 1958. He was a navigator and during his time in Service he flew in Mosquitos, Meteors and Javelins. As well as being based in the UK, his 219 Squadron served in RAF Kabrit, Egypt and did a stint in Malta. During his career he participated in formation flying and at least one Royal Fly Past.

In October 1958, Malcolm married his soulmate, Noreen. They purchased and ran a grocery shop but after a couple of years he signed up as an Air Traffic Controller (ATC)  a challenging and responsible job which he loved. He handled civilian flights across notoriously busy routes, sometimes also having to juggle local American, as well as British, Air Force flights and exercises. He served at London, Heathrow, then Watton (Norfolk)  where, strangely enough, one of the Meteors he had actually flown in was parked on display right outside that former RAF base! He took a final ATC posting up to Prestwick (just south of Glasgow, Scotland) before retiring, aged 55.

He and Noreen then moved back to Norfolk  actually ending up in the very same house they had left several years’ earlier! They enjoyed many busy years there together with family, including the marriage of their son, Ian to Marina and the arrival of young Maxim, who tottered around the garden with the dogs and enjoyed watching the fish in the huge pond which Grandma and Grandpa had created.

In 2012, in their 70s, Malcolm and Noreen took a giant leap and headed to Canada to join their daughter, Sheila, as well as Ian, Marina and Maxim, who were already based in Vancouver. All the family were together briefly before Malcolm, Noreen and Sheila made a home for themselves across on Vancouver Island.

Brentwood Bay was a very special place for Malcolm to spend his later years and he often said how lucky he was, enjoying the peace, the trees, the birds, local trips out and family company and visits.

Pre-deceased two years by Noreen, he leaves behind his beloved children, Sheila and Ian, as well as daughter-in-law Marina and Grandson, Maxim. Malcolm was very proud of all of them and especially of Maxim, who has grown into a fine young man with a promising career.

Malcolm was a good man. He loved his music especially classical but he was happy to tap his foot or sing along to any tune passing his way. Also, passionate about cricket, football, reading, Sudoku and cryptic crosswords. He enjoyed bird-watching. He had an alert and curious mind.

Across the years, he and Noreen spent many hours working on their various homes  making improvements and adding extensions. He learned new skills and took real pride in all their projects both outdoors and inside. Including a panelled dining room up in Scotland and a fabulous patio and pond in Norfolk.

He had a ready and warm, whimsical, sense of humour. He was kind-hearted, generous, gentle, loving and a true Cresswell: a man of integrity and honour. Proud of his family and roots; of his achievements; and those of his children. He was a very special son, brother, husband, father and grandfather