A Boiler-suit a bunnet and a smile!
Here's something I very seldom do, write a tribute on my blog to members of my congregation who have passed on to glory. I guess I hesitate to do such a thing because its often impossible to single one person out over another. However this evening I've decided I'm going to mention Tommy Simpson and talk a little about him on the eve of his funeral. I want to do so because he was the first person I ever met and spoke to in Bo'ness. Chance meetings can end up significant.
One Saturday afternoon 30 years ago I arrived here in Bo'ness looking for St Andrew's Church. I was a young minister looking for my first charge. The congregation was vacant, and I had been told by an older minister that the Bo'ness congregation might be worth a look. When Martha and I arrived in Bo'ness we headed in the direction of the sign which was pointing to the town centre. The thing is I was a city boy born and bred. I was looking for a busy Metropolis. I drove through the centre and out the other end of Bo'ness and stopped at what was then Duncan's Garage, still looking for the centre of town. The man on he petrol pump was Tommy, he smiled at me when I asked where the town centre was, " You've just driven through it", he replied with a bit of a chuckle in his voice. Little did I think some 30 years later I'd count him among my friends.
There are many stories that can be told about Tommy he may not have been at church every Sunday but as I reflect on his life from
my perspective I can't help but admire someone who was able face adversity and not be defeated by it. It takes a special kind of person who can pick themselves up when knocked down and start all over again.
As a mechanic he was always able and willing to find a solution to keep your car on the road. And I do believe he never knowingly overcharged his customers. Tommy was often the first port of call when a piece of work was needing to be done for a project at the church. When we first "flood- lit" the Church for Christmas it was Tommy who made up the light boxes and helped to secure them to the concrete. When we needed awards made for the SAMYP Film Awards in 2005 it was Tommy who made Awards, (from my memory over dozen clapper boards). When we decided we'd have a Tartan Sunday it was Tommy who raided his brother-in-law's garage and ended up erecting a Saltire and a proper flag poll on the tower of the church. When Sarah Jane needed her arch built for the Bo'ness Fair it was Tommy who spurred me on and helped me build it. Perhaps I helped him build it.
Over a year ago he was told the bad news that he had cancer. When I dropped in to visit him I remember him saying to me, " I can do one of two things, I can say I'm dying with cancer, or I can say I'm living with cancer." He decided to do the later- live with cancer. I think I wanted to write about Tommy because I think he is the kind of unsung hero who is in many of our towns in Scotland. A grandfather that is always on demand, a father who wants the best for his children. A husband who ends up as a carer for his wife, a friend who is always willing to go the extra mile, and a worker who hasn't a lazy bone in his body. Above all like many his faith was never worn on his sleeve it was worked out in a boiler suit going the extra mile.
Posted By: Marion Murray On: 18 Jun 2011 At: 2:56pm
Did anyone else notice that the sun shone through the stained glass windows throughout Tommy’s funeral service? Tommy is now at peace though he may be entering into the heavenly domino’s team!
The music chosen was a tribute to a quiet man with a big heart and Rae’s compilation of photos was also a fitting tribute.
Albert you gave time to give an uplifting service for a very special man.
God Bless Mina and the family