Chris Paterson- Memorial Service Thursday 18th January

[Suze]

Personally I don't know Chris, but have just had this come through in an email from Mildred and thought there would be other people here who would know him and may wish to know.

Condolences to Chris' family, RIP.

It is with very much regret that I have to inform you all with the very sad news that Chris Paterson passed away this past week after suffering a massive heart attack. .

Chris has been a valued member of BRSCC SE Centre over many years - during which he was both a Flag/Examining Observer/DSO -

Chris for a few years also looked after all our new Trainee Marshals - then went on to become both a Judge and Club Steward.

Chris was a person with a wide range of experience and interest in all fields of
Motor Sport.

Our sympathy goes out to his wife Margaret and his son Tim.


Best wishes

Bernard Cottrell
BRSCC SE Centre Chairman

[garybirch]

When I started marshalling in 1999, I lived only 10 mins away from Brands Hatch so it became my home track.
Being in charge of the newbies, Chris was my first contact with marshalling and I owe much of my continued interest to him.
He was a friendly, helpful, kind fellow, always with a smile on his face.
He shall be missed.
May he rest in piece and may God Bless his family.

[ascarmarshal]

I received the new this morning from Chris's widow. I worked with a lot over the past eight years as part of the mid week crew at Brands Hatch. He will be missed.

RIP Chris

[Flat Out Farr]

sorry to hear this sad news. I first met Chris sprinting back in the early 1980's. He was a gentleman and a good sportsman. He will be sadly missed.

RIP Chris

[gwar]

This is really sad news,we really liked chris, had alot of good times up at rockingham, espiacially when a group of us met up at travellodge on sat night of race weekends....allways had a meal and a few laughs.
Met him last at brands hatch in pitlane,

Deepest sympithies to his family and friends,

[Snotty]

I was one of the many trainees Chris introduced to Brands. His enthusiasm for marshalling was one of the things that persuaded me to come back for more. I will always be grateful. A lovely man. Rest in peace Chris.

[Rod Birley]

Chris was a former BARC S/E committee member and a valuable asset to any club. He will be sorely missed.

[mikepaterson]

Dear all,
Thanks very much for your comments about my dad Chris.

We were all obviously very shocked at his passing and your comments serve to remind of us of the sort of man that he was.

I have set up a condolences website at :

http://chris-paterson.gonetoosoon.co.uk

Please feel free to visit the site and add a comment, photo, tribute etc.

The funeral is not yet arranged, but we intend to have an open service at a local church in Southend followed by a smaller family service at the crematorium. Anybody that knew dad would be most welcome at the church service which we hope will be a celebration of his (very full) life.

If anybody wants to contact me in this regard, please feel free to do so at mjpaterson@gmail.com or by PM.
Likewise if you want dad's address (to contact Maggie) or if you want to conact my brother Tim or sister Jean, then please let me know.

Thanks again for your kind and thoughtful comments.

I am sure that Dad will have made his mark in the racing circles of heaven already; marshalling up at Post 3 or 21, or trying to go flat in the Delta round some great blind corner up there !

Cheers
Mike

[Bodysnatcher]

Mike, really sad to hear the news of your Dad leaving us. As others have already said, Chris Paterson was a real gent, and as he visited the posts on his way round with another batch of newbies always found time for a bit of a natter. That job seemed to suit him.

Great company when he was my observer as well, or in more recent years the driving standards observer on post with you. Very knowledgable and happy to pass on what he knew.

Always a decent, caring chap your dad.

[Silver Flag]

I too am very sad to hear the news of Chris' passing.
Like many others I first met Chris during my induction to marshalling at BH in 1993.
Over the years he was always willing to offer advice and encouragement and was one of the most likeable people in motor sport.

A truely lovely man.

My sincere condolances to his family.


Mike Jones

[Claire]

I was very saddened to read the news about Chris. As a trainee at Brands he was my one of my first contacts in the world of orange and he was very helpful and encouraging. My thoughts are with his family.

[Stoowert]

Very sad news.
I think I can honestly say that he was the kindest, gentlest person I have ever known in marshalling. He always had time for a chat on his induction tour and never mindless chat. Always intelligent and always relevent.
After Scotty, Rod, Cagney and all, the face of marshalling is changing at Brands, and maybe not for the better.

[jonbryant]

My first ever day out in ornage was spent in Chris' company walking round Brands. Ever since that day 10 years ago he was always ready with a cheery hello whenever I saw him.

Rest easy Chris. You'll not be forgotten.

[TwoSheds]

Very saddened to hear the news. Like many others I first met Chris as a trainee at Brand Hatch, in the mid 1980s.

Chris, you will be missed but not forgotten.

[EvilPumpkin]

A gentleman and another terrible loss.

Our sincerest sympathies.

Terri & Grant

[Novice]

So sorry to hear of Chris passing away. As others have said he was also my first contact with the world of orange. A kind and gentle person who always had a smile on his face. He will be sorely missed by all those that new him, even if only briefly, as he was a true Gent of the old school. RIP

[Eddy V]

This is very sad news. I liked Chris a lot. He was always ready to help.
He always kept thanking me over and over again for driving all the way from Belgium just to marshal.
He will be sorely missed. RIP Chris.

[turbo-ww]

Very sorry to hear the the sad news, as is evident from the previous posts, the first word anyone has to describe Chris was Gentleman. There are not many about, and unfortunately, now there is one less.

We'll miss him.

[Alec Knyvett]

Mike, my wife and I were so shocked to hear the sad news about Chris. As other posts have said he was a true Gent, but also very approachable to anyone who wanted help or advice. If he saw Christine at breakfast in Hailwoods he would always stop for a chat.
He has no doubt gone to the great track in the sky as an RAC Steward and will probably have the observers in front of him soon to explain why the entire BTCC field has been reported for contact !!
Our condolences to you all.

[mikepaterson]

Thanks to everybody for their kind words and memories of Dad. It is nice to see comments and tributes from people that I know, and also those that I don't.


I will post details of the funeral here and also on the condolences website once the details have been sorted out.

The current plan is for a church service in Westcliffe-on-Sea that will act as a celebration of Dad's life - he had so many interests and seemed to devote his life to each and every one !!! The service will be open to all (we will have a family cremation afterwards) so that any of you that would like to attend would be most welcome.

If you have memories of Dad, or pictures that you would like to share, please post them at http://chris-paterson.gonetoosoon.co.uk , or email pictures to me and I will add them.

Thanks again

Mike

[paul.hickman]

I guess I first met Chris way back in the 1970's (may even have been the 60's) and as many have said he was always a most approachable and entertaining man. From deep in the memory I seem to remember that he was a schoolmaster for many years with a passion for building and then sprinting or trialling cars. Perhaps it was little wonder that he became such a successful and respected trainer for the BRSCC for many years.

God speed Chris - you will prove an impossible act to follow...

[theracegypsy]

A Gentleman, who will be sorely missed at Brands, and no doubt elsewhere too.

I don't marshal much at Brands these days, but he would still stop for a few words on his way through with the novice tour. Always cheerfull, always knowledgable, is how I remeber him.

[paddock.one]

Mike - my condolences too - very sad to hear of Chris's passing. Like many who have already responded, I also found him one of the basic checkpoints at Brands signing-on (from when I started around 1990) at any race day. Always a smile, a handshake, a chat or a bit of news or advice. Always there when anyone - especially a beginner - needed some help, encouragement, etc. A great support, and a gentle man, he will be much missed...

Martin Borland

[mikepaterson]

A Celebration of Dad's Life will be held on THURSDAY 18th JANUARY 1:45 p.m. at:

St. Peters Church
Eastbourne Grove
Southend-On-Sea
Essex
SS0 0QF


All are Welcome to attend. Please forward this information on to any of Dad's friends who may not be on this forum.

Family Flowers only please.

We will be making a collection in the service that will be passed to 3 of the charities that Dad was involved with.

We hope to see you there if you can make it.

Please note that parking at and near the church may be limited due to the proximity of Southend Hospital. Please allow extra time to get to the church.