Haverhill bids farewell to a ‘warm, funny and wise’ man

The humour, warmth and wisdom of the late Haverhill town and borough councillor Paul McManus was paid tribute to during his funeral service in the town last Thursday (16).

A packed congregation at St Felix Catholic Church listened to the tributes from West Suffolk MP Matthew Hancock and Keran McManus, one of Paul’s four sons.

Kieran, whose brother Kevin and two half-brothers from Paul’s first marriage, Paul junior and Darren, acted as pallbearers, spoke of his dad’s humour.

“My dad was an amazing person who achieved so much in his lifetime. It was usually done with the same sense of humour and his enigmatic smile that we all remember.

“He is not gone. He is just less bodily with us.”

Paul was 68 when died at home on June 10 after a 12 month fight with pancreatic cancer. His death came shortly after he and his widow, Elaine, celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary.

He was a town councillor for eight years and a borough councillor for four years, but was also well known for his work as a driver with the Three Counties Community Transport service, for whom he also became a driving instructor and assessor.

Mr Hancock paid tribute to Northern Ireland-born Paul and his love of Haverhill, where he lived for 40 years.

He said: “Everyone he knew grew through his wisdom, his knowledge, his good humour and his advice.

“His first advice to me (after becoming an MP) was Matthew, ‘you must always put your family first, because family is what matters most.’ This is the Paul I will always remember.”

Mr Hancock added: “For Paul, Haverhill was not just his home, it was his community too. He took an active part in every aspect of town life.

“Paul, you are gone now. We mourn your loss, we treasure your memory. It was an honour to call you my friend.”