George Alfred Tanner was born in Islington on 22nd February 1929 to Samuel and Violet Tanner. There came 5 siblings before him; Gladys, Ronnie, Doris, Eric and Peter. Then came George followed by little brother Reggie. The family moved from Islington to Uxbridge where George would have received most of his education and his early experiences of work. In the late '40's, Samuel, Violet, Peter, George and Reggie moved to Rochford, Essex. Samuel and Violet had a small and thriving business in kennelling and training racing greyhounds. George became a valuable employee as a kennel hand, making sure every dog had exactly what it needed. Greyhound Racing was a passion of George's, one to which he would return to time and time again throughout his life, and one to which he lost many a hard earned penny! In the early '50's, George started dating Janet Hedgely, they subsequently married on 13th August 1955. In May of 1956, Janet and George became the proud parents of Stephen Paul. Five years later, Daniel Patrick was born and the family became complete. In order to bring money in for the family, George started his own business and became a self employed Painter and Decorator. He was able to turn his hand to any task within this trade and this quickly became his main profession throughout his life. Many of you here today would have had at least one room decorated by George and will know it was ALWAYS to a high standard. George, Janet and the boys; Stephen and Daniel, had a fairly nomadic life - moving 3 times in 8 years. They stayed around the Rochford area meaning the boys could remain at their schools without too much disruption to their education. During the tail end of the 1960's, the marriage of George and Janet became unstable and George moved out. He became a 'weekend Dad' to the boys, whilst renting a flat near the Cliffs Pavillion in Westcliff. In 1971, work for the Basildon New Town brought George into the area. George and Janet tried a reconciliation of their marriage and moved back together to a house in Laindon. However, this was short lived and they had divorced by the mid 1970's. George was never to re-marry. Stephen and Daniel remained with George, in Laindon, after the separation, and Janet moved to Westcliff. George took to life as a single parent with comparative ease, once again changing his role and adapting to new challenges. His past experience of working in the 'officer's mess' stood him on good ground in providing for two hungry teenage boys. George worked tirelessly to provide for his boys and when, in 1975, Stephen was to become a father himself, George readily accepted Mary into the home and awaited the birth of his first Grandchild, Lee. By 1981, both Stephen and Daniel had left home and over the next 9 years, George would see the arrival of three more Grandchildren; Melanie, Samuel and James. By this time, George has moved to Vange, continued working and filled his spare time running a small Junior Football club, returning to the Laindon area in 1995. Before the new millennium George saw the arrival of another Grandchild; Nathan, and accepted Natalie into the family as if she were one of his own. George was left devastated when his first-born son, Stephen aged just 44, lost his fight to Cancer in September 2000. Now in his 70’s, George had started to slow down on his tireless work regime but still picked up paintbrushes and tools in a flash to help out family and friends whenever it was needed. George became a proud Great-Grand father in 2002 and again in 2005 with the birth of Stephani and Lewis. His flock complete he still played a part in the day to day running of family life- whether that be running the Grandkids to and from school, being lead chauffeur to Berry Boys Football team or standing in as Father Christmas at a local playgroup. George's health and mobility had started to decrease and being one to 'never want a fuss' or to be 'any trouble' he never complained or sought medical assistance or intervention. Whilst finding it increasingly difficult to get out to the dogs, horses or betting shops - his passion for football never waned. If he couldn't get to the footie, then the footie would come to him - watching any and every game on sky sports, including Spanish League Football! George was a family man through and through and having close relationships with family members was important to him. He'd never go too far into any conversation without asking "how are you" or "how is so and so". To have the support of his family throughout his life and, most importantly, throughout his illness meant the world to him. George will always be remembered as a Footie mad, quick witted, kind hearted man who'd do anything he could for his family and friends alike.