Today, we gather to honour and celebrate the life of Thomas Tedford, known affectionately as Tom or Tommy. A loving son, father and grandfather.
Tommy was born in Glasgow to Thomas and Sarah, who was known as Sadie. He moved down to Barnsley with his parents and sister Helen when he was young and settled in Athersley North. He began his working life at Barrow Colliery in Worsborough. Working down the pit for 16 years before leaving mining behind. He went on to become a cleaner on the buses. Working there until he retired in 1998 due to ill health. For the past 20 years Tommy has been living in a flat in Cudworth. He loved it there and even when the family asked if he wanted to move into a council house he refused. He had 2 birds while he was in the flat. He would talk to them for hours. But one day he’d had enough saying they never shut up. When Jay turned up the next day with some feed for them, they had disappeared never to be seen again, so keep an eye out round Cudworth you might just get to see them.
Tommy had a relationship with Pat and they had 3 children, Neil, Helen and Tricia. However, it was not meant to be and after 13 years they separated. Tommy didn’t do well from the separation, and it took him some time to recover. As time went on, he recovered and started to have a better relationship with his kids. When he became a grandparent that’s when he found his true calling. All of them were the apple of his eye, Danny, Nicole, Justin, Marshall, Jayden, Stuart, and Robert. But he was especially fond of Marley. Marley got everything they wanted when it came to Grandad. He just couldn’t say no. He would spend Christmas at Helen’s. Nothing was allowed to happen until he arrived. He would watch the kids open the presents then nip off to the pub for a pint. Making sure he was back for dinner. Which would include a beef joint just for him. Tommy would stay for 2-3 days, making sure he got to play with all the grandkids. Not forgetting Bella, the Yorkshire terrier who he also loved.
When he wasn’t at home you would probably find him in the New Lodge Club, especially on a Sunday afternoon. He would sit in the tap room with a pint of Carling and his mates Graham and Matthew. Helen and Jay would worry about how he would get home but he’d always manage somehow. He loved the, as he put it, ‘old biddies’ lunches they had at the club. He also went on the ‘old boys’ holidays with the lads. They went to Bulgaria, Benidorm and other places together. Having a laugh and getting up to mischief as they always did.
Holidays were always a release for Tommy. It’s where he truly relaxed. With his own kids they went to Butlins and Havens. Later on, as the family grew, they would go on day trips to Skegness and weeks away to Great Yarmouth. It was here he was at his happiest. He would always pester Jay asking him when then next trip was. It was a place where Tommy was able to truly able to relax and be content with life. Jay loved these trips as well since he looked up to Tommy as his adopted dad. They would always be eating fish and peas on the sea front. Definitely no chips for Tommy. He didn’t like them horrible things.
Tommy wasn’t a big fan of technology. Getting everyone to help him with his TV and boiler. Although the boiler was probably just wanting a rest as the heating was always on regardless of the weather. When it came to phones Tommy was just happy with one that texts and rings. But wo betide you sent him any text speak. He didn’t like it. He still had some VHS’s knocking around, as well as hundreds of DVDs as he didn’t want to pay Sky for films. He loved his Cowboy films and country and western music. He would always be watching John Wayne films and listening to Jonny Cash.
You could always count on Tommy for sweets. He would always have a packet. Liquorice allsorts and midget gems were his favourite, although he wouldn’t turn any down. For any special occasion, especially his birthday, he would have a Victoria sandwich. The candle wouldn’t be in the cake for long as he would eat it all to himself. His sweet tooth extended to drinks as well. He would have 2 spoons of coffee, 2 sugars and a drop of milk, so strong you could stand a spoon up in it.
One his favourite sayings was “I’m always skint”. But he wasn’t. Maybe it had something to do with his love of horse racing. He loved gambling on the ponies and I’m sure he would have had a few tips for Cheltenham the other week. If he could make a quick quid, he would take it. It was a good job he did win a few quid as he had a love of shoes and trainers. Didn’t matter what they were, if he fancied them, he was having them. Helen would regularly go to the flat and get rid of a load, only for Tommy to go out and buy more.
So, as we say goodbye to Tommy. Let us remember laughter, warmth, and happiness that he brought into our lives. These stories and many others will be forever engrained into our memory of this amazing man.
Funeral Service was conducted at Barnsley Crematorium at 12:50pm on 25th March 2024.
Chris Platts - Professional Celebrant 