We’re met here this morning to celebrate and give thanks for the life of Roderick Andrew McCalman, known as Roddy or Rod, Roderick, as he said himself being his Sunday name. Roddy was only 48 years old when he died on the 14th. of January. A short life indeed, but Roddy lived and enjoyed that life to the full and packed more action and adventure into his short life than many a person who’ lived a lot longer. Roddy was a well kent face, larger than life, a people person. Everybody knew him and he always had time for everybody. He loved company and speaking to people. He could converse with anyone of all ages and abilities. He was equally comfortable speaking to academics and people with learning disabilities. Going down Byres Road was a frustrating time for his wife Monique since almost every second person would stop to talk to him. All the kids in the street where he lived doted on Roddy. They were always at his door. He fixed their bikes and set off fireworks for them on Guy Fawkes Night. The daughter of one of Roddy’s neighbour’s told his wife Monique that Roddy was like a breath of fresh air in the street and that he had brought the street alive again. Roddy’s paths in life crossed many people and the number of people here today at this service is a testimony to that fact. Although he suffered from asthma all his life, that didn’t stop him from trying things. He was always an adventurer trying new things. Even as a young child he had to be restrained to keep him from runnning off to look for new adventures. His new ideas weren’t always practical as when, after watching a T.V. programme Roddy told his wife he was going to keep pigs. Monique had other ideas on that venture. So this service is a celebration of a short life, full of interest, lived and enjoyed to the full. But this service is also a time when we ask God to comfort those who will miss Roddy, all the members of his family, his work-mates, his friends and acquaintances. So let us pray. Bible Readings . Roddy McCalman, warmth, every kind action, outgoing nature, friendliness and sense of humour, his interest in people, his ability to converse with people of all ages and abilities, the qualities which made him known as a people person, well liked by all who knew him Born in Claremont Terrace in Glasgow and brought up in Bishopbriggs one of 2 of a family. A pupil at Meadowburn Primary School and Bishopbriggs High School . A bugler in the 212 company of the Boy’s Brigade At the age of 16 he got his first moped on which he went to work in a nail factory in Lennoxtoun As a tanker driver with Hopkins Dairies for many years. As a painter and decorator, a carpenter, and a roofer, working for the B.B.C. Stage and Set building. How good he was with his hands re-building chimneys in his sister’s house and leaving many examples of his craftsmanship in shops all over the West end of Glasgow. A Scottish Champion butterfly swimmer and how he trained for the Olympic Games, swimming every day at 6 o’clock until a motor bike accident brought his competitive swimming to an end. His marriage to Monique in Park Circus on the 15th. of June, 1996 and their nearly 13 years of a very happy marriage. How he enjoyed playing French boules in the Village Inn at Torrance , and driving hotrods in Cowdenbeath. How he loved good food and cooking, cooking Christmas dinner for the whole family, his piece de resistance being his chocolate log with sparklers. The pleasure Roddy got from holidays in South Holland visiting his wife’s family and holidays in Crete scooting around on his mo-ped chatting to the locals. His love of dogs especially latterly Buster and Archie who was known as ‘Roddy’s boy’. We recall his love of gardening and growing vegetables and the pleasure he got from caring for the birds in his aviary. We remember his love of music of a wide-ranging variety, classical, operas, ‘Queen’, Dolly Parton, Pavarotti and many others. Other things Roddy enjoyed , socialising in Ashton Lane and especially in Ginty McGinty’s, fishing with his dad, watching rugby and motor sports on T.V. also cooking programmes such as Hugh Fearnlie Whittingstall at River Cottage, also science fiction programmes like Star Trek, Star Date Atlantis and Deep Space, also antiques programmes, being an eclectic collector of antiques. Above all as a good family person, a loving and caring husband, son to Sheila and Dan, a wee brother, a nephew, a brother-in-law, and son-in-law, a fellow worker, a good neighbour in Kinnoul Lane, Dowanhill and Wycombe Road, Scotstounhill, good friend. Having been in pain recently he is now beyond the realm of suffering and pain and human frailty. He is at peace. We pray for those who are left and who will miss Roddy, Monique [dearly loved husband], Sheila [a much loved son], Fiona [a sorely missed ‘wee’ brother], Jean [a loving nephew], Andy, Michelle and Peter [a great brother-in-law], and Jack and Roza Maria [a loving son –in-law], a fellow worker, a neighbour, a friend. Committal Hymn ‘Will your anchor hold…?’ Benediction