Farewell to a town legend...
Lew Watret (81) made sure his funeral would hit a high note
SHEPSHED legend Lewis Watret planned his own funeral – and made sure it would hit a high note.
In his younger days, Lew was a singing star, and a CD was recorded while he was in his prime. He had asked for songs from the disc to be included in the funeral service, held at St James the Greater Church, Oaks in Charnwood, on Friday (October 5).
His favourite song was Amore, and as the recording was played over the sound system members of the large congregation waved their hands in the air in tribute. A few musical notes from the same song had been printed on the white coffin.
As his life drew to a close, Lew, aged 81, of Arbury Dale, Shepshed, planned his funeral in great detail.
An example of the care he took was that on entering the church women received a red rose with a message he had written.
Arrival music was “Florence,” composed by Lew in memory of his late wife, who died in the year 2000.
Then processional music was played by Bill Pepper, Pipe Major in the LRC Pipe Band, whose haunting melodies were a prominent feature of the day.
The service was conducted by Canon Cynthia Hepburn, who said in her sermon that Lew was “such a character,” who had achieved so much in his life.
She described him as a sensitive man who wanted to make people happy, and she said he had great faith.
The eulogy was given by former Echo editor John Rippin, who had been a friend of Lew’s for nearly 60 years.
Although seriously ill and finding it difficult to speak Lew had phoned John several times in August to dictate details he wished to be included in the eulogy. He stressed that he was unafraid of what lay ahead.
John said Lew was a big man with a big heart and a big, cheery personality who was always ready to help good causes.
From an early age he loved singing and had been a choirboy at St James Church. As an adult he became a part-time singer and took part in shows in which some big names topped the bill.
While working as a customer services officer for British Telecom he was registered disabled after an accident and was unable to work.
He turned his attention to charity fund-raising and over the years raised many thousands of pounds for good causes.
Lew, who died on August 31, was a well-regarded member of Shepshed Town Council for 11 years and was called a local hero after he led a successful campaign for another supermarket to come to the town
While at British Telecom, he was a member of the highly successful first aid team that won a lot of trophies.
Lew’s daughter Louisa, who died four years ago, introduced him to Sue Hydon, who had been his loving partner for the past 16 years.
Lew had told John: “She is the light of my life and I would not have lasted so long without her.
John added: “There will never be anyone quite like Lew, and his loss will be felt for years to come. But he touched the hearts of so many people and has left behind a host of golden memories.”
Lew had dictated a moving letter to John thanking Sue for all she had done for him and this was read out by Canon Hepburn.
The congregation applauded as the coffin was piped out of the church. Lew had said only a few weeks before his death that this part of the service would be “my last performance as the showman I have always tried to be.”
Committal took place at Loughborough Crematorium, led by Canon Hepburn.
Afterwards there was a reception at the Pied Bull, Belton Street, Shepshed. A special iced cake had been baked by Sue’s son, Robert, of R.J. Cake Designs.