Alan Roger Coates (27 Apr 1947 - 28 Apr 2019)

In loving memory of Alan Roger Coates who sadly passed away on 28th April 2019 after his 7-year battle with cancer.

Alan was a fun loving and larger than life character in more ways than one! He was a loving husband to his wife, Sally, father of 2 sons, Steven and Mark, grandfather to Keaton, Holly, Louis, Evie May and Preston, and daddy to his 5 cats, Nelson, Tfor, Onyx, Penny and Tiga. He was a mine of knowledge and was always happy to help anybody in need, whether a friend or stranger.

Alan was born in Luton, Bedfordshire in 1947 where he spent a happy childhood and his early adult life. After not quite making it as a professional football player, he took up an apprenticeship at Vauxhall Motors as an electrical engineer followed by contract work with numerous companies including the Ministry of Defence. Alan and his first wife, Yvonne, had 2 sons, Steven, who was born in 1974, and Mark, who was born in 1977.

After the breakdown of his marriage, Alan moved to South Africa where he worked for Siemens, travelling around South Africa as well as the occasional trip to Germany. Alan spent 17 happy years in South Africa where he made his home, along with his horse and dogs, discovering his love of BBQs, lawn bowls and making lasting friendships. After getting his private pilot’s license in the UK, Alan also carried on flying whenever he had the chance and eventually bought a plane with his best buddy, Ray, which he sadly never got to fly.

Alan eventually moved to Swaziland where he started his own stand-by power company. There he discovered scuba diving and boats and although he suffered from sea sickness, he bought a boat and got his skipper’s license and spent many a weekend partying and taking out his fishing buddies along with the inevitable hangovers!

While in Swaziland Alan met and married his wife of 24 years, Sally. They then spent the next few years travelling with Sally's job, taking time out to visit friends and family in far flung countries. This was followed by Alan going solo to Afghanistan, his last job before he finally retired. They eventually moved to Cyprus where Alan discovered his love of cats! After saying he would never have a cat, Alan ended up with 5, not being able to say no when another stray turned up on the doorstep! Alan was lucky to be able to split his time between the UK and Cyprus with the inevitable trips back to South Africa.

Alan was a big fan of sports including football, squash, tennis, flying, model planes, lawn bowls, formula one, super bikes and snooker. In his early years Alan played football and squash which progressed to tennis, and his love of lawn bowls began in South Africa/Swaziland. As with everything he tried, in true Alan spirit, although he loved to win, he was happiest just playing and having fun and, of course, entertaining his fellow players. In his later years Alan’s interests changed slightly. The football playing ceased and he took to watching football on TV, especially his beloved Manchester United.

His love of Lambretta’s started in the 60's when he was a mod with as many mirrors as he could possibly fit on his scooter! Then in the last few years he took up the task of renovating them, leaving Sally with 3 Lambretta's, one completed, one almost completed and one in bits!

Although he stopped flying them, his love of planes carried on in the form of models and he recently joined the Southend model plane flying club and had his spitfire and trainer all set to go.

Alan loved to cook, from his BBQ days in South Africa/Swaziland to his famous full English and Xmas dinners of late, he was happiest when he was entertaining his guests. He was a natural performer, full of humour and wonderful stories.

Alan’s one regret was that he didn’t meet his wife, Sally, earlier in his life!