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Tribute to Richard Coles, 1954 - 2023

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Help grow Richard's tribute by adding messages or memories you'd like to share.

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Sadly, I only just found out that Richard had died. I was a school friend and introduced Richard to Blackheath Harriers. I had great times with Richard at Blackheath and I am sure his is sadly missed by all his family and many friends.

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The Woodland Trust

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My heartfelt condolences. Richard was a lovely person, may he rest in peace now.

Christine Barber

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Thinking of you all and sending you much love, Davy, Nina & the girls xxx

Given anonymously

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Sam & Joan Nevin

For my lovely dad

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Thinking of you all. Much love from Han, Dylan, E&G xx

Given anonymously

In memory of my cousin Richard Coles

Mrs Wendy Williams

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A much loved man who will be sadly missed.

Gill and Phil Nowell

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The Woodland Trust

Lauren Williams & Syb Fowler

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Lauren Williams & Syb Fowler

The Woodland Trust

Rest in peace, Richard

Sarah and Steve West

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The Woodland Trust

Sally and Jim Turnbull

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We have known Richard for many decades and have followed his running career with great interest. As a family we enjoyed many family holidays and Richard was always great fun. Sadly we have watched his decline and how very dedicated my sister Alison was in caring for him, supported by Helen and Ross and Andy. He is now at peace after a difficult number of years.

Sally and Jim Turnbull

The Woodland Trust

Given anonymously

A great runner and an even better person. I hope his spirit is free to run again ...

Coles family gatherings

I have many happy memories of family gatherings. Richard, his brother Ian, and Eric and Joan- my aunt and uncle, with my Mum and Dad Norman and Barbara and sister Sheila. We would have high tea, followed by family games. There would be a lot of high jinks and laughter. I particularly remember on one occasion Richard played his guitar and sang Leaving on a Jet Plane by Peter, Paul and Mary. Richard was close in age to me and I always appreciated his good humour and sense of fun. I thought of him as a thoroughly good egg and he was a favourite cousin.

Shared by Julia

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In memory of a loving husband and father.

Pat and Ian Gore

The Woodland Trust

In loving memory of a dear cousin

Julia, Ian, Lizzy and Amelia

In loving memory of a dear cousin.

Julia, Ian, Lizzy and Amelia

The Ultimate Training Plan

"I'm going to get back into Running again" I said one day to my dad. "Oh, you should ask your uncle Richard for a training plan" he replied. So I did and a few days later a hand written training plan duly arrived in the post. It built up from a basic starting level to an intimidating 6 times a week and something called "Fartlek".

Richard was an outstanding runner as his tribute from the Blackheath Harriers shows. Two of my earliest memories: One was waiting for Richard to pass us at the Cutty Sark in the London Marathon on his way to a top 100 finish in 2 hrs 30 mins and Two was running Cross Country through the fields together looking for the sawdust marking the course.

Uncle Richard was an inspiring man and I miss him very much.

He also introduced me to Paul Weller on Vinyl records!

Shared by stevecoles731

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Remembering Richard Coles friend and colleague at Fareham.

The Woodland Trust

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Remembering a lovely uncle

Family visits to Fareham

Fondly remember trips to visit uncle Richard and Auntie Ali down in Fareham, fun Christmases and great board games :) He always had a goofy sense of humor that I seem to have inherited! I know he and my dad got on well growing up and he would have said how proud he was of his younger brother. Sending love to all the family, Chris xx

Shared by christopherjohncoles

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In memory of my dear cousin Richard!

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Those we love can never be more than a thought away; for as long as there's a memory, they live on in our hearts.

The Beach Family xxxxx

The magic handshake

Richard was my uncle - brother to my father Ian. When i was growing up our families did not live close to each other but we would travel to see each other for visits. I remember lots of fun and laughter on these visits but when we were saying goodbye uncle Richard would always shake my hand with a serious expression whilst winking and slipping a pound coin into my hand. I always felt like i was part of an important secret when this happened.

Shared by Heather

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Many Happy Memories!

Railway Camping Coach Holidays with the Coles Family

I have such happy memories of our joint family holidays. I would sit and read Rev. W. Awdry’s Railway stories to Richard during our journey on the ‘Cornish Riviera Express’ train to Cornwall. He would sit and listen to them intently. Richard, Ian and my brother Stephen spent many happy hours digging sand castles and sea defences on the beach. Then Richard would sit on top of the castle twirling his spade, and saying “go away sea”. Many a time sand shoes were lost to the waves and our parents would have to wade into the water retrieve them. Happy memories of a delightful seven year old Richard.

Shared by Judith

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The Woodland Trust

Richard was a kind man, sensitive and fun. A talented runner and committed environmentalist. The cruel disease of dementia robbed him of many years of his life, but he was always a central part of his loving family and will be much missed

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A good man, a fine athlete, gone to soon. x

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Richard brought joy to others in athletics, a dear friend. Deepest sympathy to Ali, Andy, Helen and family and many many cherished memories

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Richard was my lovely uncle. I will remember him fondly as a kind and thoughtful man with a mischievous sense of humour who loved his family very much.

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Richard. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

Sent by Green Willow Funerals on 08/12/2023

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.

Extract from a poem by Henry Scott Holland