A Tribute to "Silver Fox"

Just thinking those words, “Silver Fox”, raises a smile on the outside for me but more significantly, from deep within.

It’s been a lot of years since we both found ourselves in the same room with our peers and from that beginning came a remarkable friendship.

I remember being told that it was unlikely we would get on before we had even met and with each of us pressing our points in the meeting, not always in agreement, I guessed it might be true.

What actually began that day was a long friendship based on respect which has never diminished and a sense that I had been truly blessed by a sense of privilege that I had in fact met a “one off”.

That sense has proven true time and time again and today my colleague and friend has taken a decision to retire at the end of March.

The loss to the process industry is enormous because my friend Bernie will never come again.

The gain will be time with his family and nowhere is happier for him.

His beautiful family, beautiful on the Inside as well as the outside, are his greatest love.

We journeyed thousands upon thousands of miles together, down motorways and in and out of Countries by air and ALWAYS, Bernie was a real family man.

His lovely wife, Daughters and Son remained at the centre of his thoughts and then Grandchildren brought added joy.

I have never met a better “all rounder” in any walk of life.

Did we always agree?

Not on your life....but together the combinations meant we always won.

What one of us lacked the other provided and we were spoiled by the success and fun that others called work.

Professional, Intelligent, Loyal and good humoured, this was a man who proved constantly to be “best of his generation”

It didn’t matter anyway because he went on to build his own successful business.

Short of being a Brother I cannot Imagine feeling closer.

I have become more cynical over the years, testing qualities before accepting they are real but Bernie is the real deal.

Not perfect perhaps but never lacking, never Insincere and a promise made is as good as a promise delivered.

His Son will take the reins of the family business now and he has had the best possible teacher.

More than anyone, I wish this dear friend huge happiness in retirement and thank him for the unique moments we have shared as we put our enemies to the sword as we conquered Europe!

More than anything, I thank him for proving there are such things as “a friend proving closer than a Brother”

Me falling down a hole in Portugal without spilling a drop is Imprinted on my mind but taking over a Bar aptly named “Bernie’s Inn” was genius!