Pat Smith MBE

Pat joined Nottingham & District U3A in 2007 and then quickly volunteered to join the committee as a much needed Treasurer. He was always up for any challenge or job that needed doing. Pat was charming, always a smile on his face and with twinkle in his eyes; he had a great sense of fun and enthusiasm for life.  

Pat was never too busy, despite all his other voluntary roles, to offer help and support and I never once heard him that he didn’t have time or could not help. He worked with me on publicity events, dealing with Nottinghamshire Network meetings and the Christmas party. Pat gave many delightful talks about his travels for the Wednesday Topics group and his input at other groups was invaluable.

We all found him to be kind, supportive with a genuine interest in and love of people; he was full of zest for life and adventure. I remember when he came in with a huge plaster on his head covering a wound incurred when he'd fallen off his grandson's skate board, well that was our Pat!

Finding myself suddenly as Chair of the U3A committee was a shock and without Pat’s help I would not have survived. He was a great mentor always supportive and at my shoulder in difficult meetings at difficult times. I learned much from him not least his great diplomatic skills especially when dealing with those with entrenched views.

I still miss him and often with a problem to solve will think to email him for advice, feedback or support; and I'll never forget how much he made me laugh.  Some people make a real difference in the world and Pat was one of them, he will be missed by all of those that knew him.

Rest in peace dear friend. 

Jan Bridgeman

My memories of Pat are the conversation, in writing I shared with him over the many years.  When I took the Music/Opera group coffee/tea money, I would write a little note to him and he, invariably, sent back a very funny reply (sometimes in a different language!).  We managed to keep up quite an amusing repartee!  Les and I will always remember him with affection.

Les and Margaret Genway

It was a real pleasure to know Pat. He got on with everyone, and had a store of quips for every occasion. His presentations of the Nottingham U3A accounts were always the most entertaining part of our annual general meetings. I was saddened to witness and later hear of his declining health over the past couple of years, and to know that his family were unable to be with him during his final weeks. He will live on in our memories. 

Fiona McCluskey

Pat Smith was a lovely, lovely man who seemed apt to push the boundaries of life right to the line. I remember a conversation we had when he hurt his head. I asked what he’d been up to and he told me:’ Well, I borrowed my grandson’s skateboard, just to give it a go, but it didn’t work out so well...’ I said, 'Good on you, mate! It's great that you're still up for these little adventures.' 'Oh,' he replied. 'Everyone else thinks I'm a silly old fool; you're the only one who's praised me.'

Well, I'm still praising you, Patrick. 

Vivienne Foster

I was very saddened to hear that Pat has passed away. Pat and I did not have a lot in common but he was a good man in the true meaning of the word, and I respected him for that. Although I did not know him all that well, I sensed that Pat was always a player in life, never a spectator.  He was a genuinely kind man and he will be missed. RIP Pat Smith, MBE. 

Mike Whitehead

It was with great sadness that I learned the news of Pat Smith's passing and hope he didn’t suffer in his final days. I got to know him at the U3A Comedy Club and he was always so active, alert, interesting and friendly, while being a great asset as Treasurer for many years. During the last two or three comedy get-togethers when I saw him, I noticed he was not as quick on the uptake, nor with his quips, and it made me wonder and worry about him, not without good reason it transpired. I know in his last year or so he wasn’t his usual self and often didn’t recognise old friends but I like to think that he was happy and well-cared for.

One of my main memories of Pat is discovering we had a shared background - we were both born in Great Yarmouth, making us Yarmouth bloaters, albeit about 15 years apart. As if this weren’t enough of a coincidence, in our continuing exchanges on Yarmouth, he revealed that he had lived in Alderson Road – a road which my cousin and her parents moved into in the mid-1950s, just a few doors along from Pat and family. However, the Smith family had moved to Lancashire during the war so there was no chance my relatives would have been neighbours of theirs, but as is said, it’s a small world.

I shall miss Pat greatly, in fact have done since his enforced absence from the Comedy Group's Friday gatherings and am sure that a memorial for him, in a future and safer time, will be a very good way to remember him, as a U3A member and friend to many. 

Lauretta Hobson

Pat was the kindest of men - always smiling, always charming and with a wonderful twinkle in his eye. 

But funnily enough the time I remember Pat best is in how supportive he was at the funeral of my darling husband Chris.

Pat knew me from the committee but I don’t think he knew Chris at all. Yet he came to the funeral and wake and brought many other U3A members - to make sure I knew I still had friends who would stand by me during my grieving.

As I said, I don’t think he knew Chris but he’d obviously found out a lot about him and Pat was so, so soothing in helping me through that dreadful day. I will always remember that and value him for his great thoughtfulness.

Thank you Pat - rest in peace my friend. 

Anne Orton