A BUSINESS owner and "loving father and grandfather” in Rhyl was laid to rest last week at a "beautiful" service following his death earlier this month.
Lawrence Parker, of Parker’s Leisure, known for running the Black Cat arcade in Towyn, died after a battle with lung cancer on October 4 aged 81, one day prior to his 82nd birthday.
His funeral was held at Denbighshire Memorial Park and Crematorium, St Asaph on Friday, October 21.
The son of Solly and Mary, and brother to Brian, Rhona, Jimmy and Louis, he was married three times, and had three children; Nicola, Lawrence, and Dee, and two granddaughters; Bobbie and Holly.
A former pupil of Rydal Boys School, Lawrence was also a keen sportsman, with a love of horses.
Dee, who was with Lawrence when he died in Glan Clwyd Hospital, remembered her “amazing” father.
She added that her father's funeral, at which her husband, Chris; son-in-law, Rory; sister, Nicola; and close family friend, Jack were the pallbearers, was "full of sadness and tears, but also laughter".
Dee said: "The service was a beautiful service. There was a wonderful turnout for dad. My sister wrote all of the eulogy herself, and her tribute to dad was absolutely beautiful.
“It was full of sadness and tears, but also laughter, as well, going through his life and remembering what he was like.
“We are totally heartbroken, but all you can do is take it one day at a time.”
READ MORE:
Bench to be erected in memory of ‘irreplaceable’ Prestatyn Athletic club secretary
In her eulogy, Nicola paid a moving tribute to her beloved late father.
Extracts from her eulogy read: "Lawrence became a prominent figure on the Towyn front as the manager of The Black Cat 1, the dodgems, and Black Cat 2. He was seen as a fair boss and because of this, had loyal staff with him until he left the arcade business.
"All of his staff had nicknames; he still referred to them by those names with much fondness.
"Lawrence was very proud of his granddaughters; Bobbie and Holly, of (son-in-law) Chris for being a supportive husband, giving his daughters advice and guidance.
"Nothing gave him greater pleasure than his daughters bringing him a Greggs bacon bun for his Sunday breakfast. He took comfort in their solidarity and support for each other and him.
"Lawrence always adopted a dog that needed a home, and was a great supporter of animal charities. His love of horse racing never diminished, and they (he and wife Carole) went to many race meetings with his good friends, Tony and Ros.
"He wanted to be Lord of the Manor, and so bought Tan Rallt Holiday Home Park and Spa in Abergele. Lawrence knew how to do entertainment; there were singers and musicians, food and leisure facilities. Always the people-pleaser, always the host.
"He was incredbly grateful for his twin brother Brian's tolerance and generosity. We, as a family, would like to say thank you."
Dee added: “He was a good, good man. He had such a funny, cheeky sense of humour.
"He loved sports; he went to Wimbledon to play tennis, and was awarded the Victor Ludorum for this, as well.
“He was an apprentice jockey for a number of years, and later became the manager of the Black Cat 2 bingo.
“His granddaughters only referred to him as: ‘Grandad with the horses’. He was riding until he was 79; he absolutely loved it.
“When he was married to Carole (his third wife, who he was married to for 30 years), Carole was still riding on the horse they had together, and dad got so much joy out of that.”
The day after Lawrence’s death, Dee, her husband Chris, Bobbie and Holly lit a candle and ate steak – his favourite meal – for dinner.
They also attached their own personal messages to Lawrence to helium balloons, which they then released.
Dee said she “never left his side” on the day Lawrence died, and also thanked the “amazing” staff at Glan Clwyd.
She added: “In dad’s later life, he was a keen craftsman. He loved his dogs, too, and always donated to Dogs Trust.
“He rang my husband, Chris, for chats about the football any day. Dad was very proud of my husband looking after our family; they were very close.
“Dad’s legacy will carry on through his children and grandchildren.”
Dee also recalled treasured memories such as Sunday cups of tea and nightly phone calls.
READ MORE:
Tributes to ‘irreplaceable’, ‘amazing’ Prestatyn Athletic club secretary
Dee said: “He just loved life, and was such a sunny character. He once rang The Vatican to try to get in touch with the Pope, as he wanted to be ordained!
"My dad bought a Rolls-Royce, which was his baby. He took my daughter to her prom in it, he’d take my daughters to work in it; he’d come every Sunday in it, until COVID, and have a cup of tea.
“He enjoyed trips to Towyn in his Rolls-Royce, and enjoyed people taking pictures of his car, and stopping to say hello.
“We had nightly chats; we had such a close relationship.
“My sister moved away to become a police officer, and on her visits home, we’d always go out and do things as a family.
“He was such a loving father and grandfather, and he loved seeing me and my sister together so much. We had holidays together when we were young.
"There would be weekly conversations between my dad and my sister, and he was so proud of Nicola and all of her achievements, as well. She worked for the police and the ambulance services, and now works at a funeral parlour.
“If he could help anyone in need, he would. He was just amazing; the best dad to me and Nicola, and we are both going to miss him so, so much.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here