Warm tributes for popular former Melton Mowbray builder and local sportsman
The funeral will be held on Friday for a former Melton Mowbray builder who was also a keen local golfer and hockey player.
Christopher Wakefield, who passed away on June 30 aged 65, was also a charity fundraiser as well working as a builder for over four decades.
His family told the Melton Times: “Following retirement, Chris devoted his time to volunteering as a skipper on a charity boat and for the Air Ambulance Charity, while continuing to pursue his passion for golf.
“Throughout his life, ‘Wako’s’ true calling was playing for Melton Hockey Club, where he became chairman and president before qualifying as an umpire in his later years.
“Away from the pitch, Chris was a devoted, loving and caring family man, having been with his childhood sweetheart, Mercia, since the age of 13.
“Chris was a wonderful husband, dad, granddad and brother, and was the life and soul of any party, always the first on the dance floor.
"Taken too soon, he will remain forever in our hearts.”
A funeral for Chris will be held at 4pm on Friday at St Mary’s Parish Church, in Melton Mowbray – friends and colleagues are welcome to join family mourners at the service.
Attendees are requested to wear formal clothing but not black clothes – bright colours are welcome, to honour his personality and wardrobe.
Family are providing flowers but donations are welcomed for two charities Chris loved – Peter Le Marchant Trust and the Air Ambulance.
There will be details to follow on a celebration of his life and ‘a big old party’ in the coming weeks.