Born in 1954, Geoff Silburn grew up in East Yorkshire, the son of Iris and Leonard Silburn who worked at Spillers Flour Mill in Hull.
As a child the care and attention to detail he would later apply day in day out in his career as a pharmacist could be seen in his fascination with trains and the absolute precision of the Airfix models he built. He was a kind and gentle big brother to Julie and Stephen.
Geoff attended Hull Grammar School then went on to study pharmacy at Manchester University where he met his first wife Sue who was studying to be a teacher.
Always a hard worker, in the university holidays Geoff worked in the huge vegetable greenhouses on the outskirts of Hull picking tomatoes and cucumbers.
After graduating he returned to Boots in Hull for his pre-registration year before relocating to Cumbria to join Cowpers Pharmacy on King Street and marry Sue, who was teaching at Beaconside Infants School.
Sue and Geoff were happily settled at Maple Drive, Penrith, where they raised sons Ian and Graham.
Geoff was a loving and patient father, supporting the boys sporting endeavours and introducing them to historic National Trust properties and cricket during their annual British family holidays.
Geoff dedicated his entire professional life to Cowpers spending 39 years there and progressing to the position of managing director.
His career at Cowpers was defined by gentle compassionate care for both his patients and his colleagues and his willingness to go the extra mile for everyone.
Professionally he also sat on the Cumbria Local Pharmaceutical Committee and greatly enjoyed his stint as a non-executive director at Penrith Building Society,
Alongside his work at Cowpers, Geoff volunteered generously throughout his life, a key figure in the Penrith community and latterly in Culgaith.
He joined Penrith Lions in 1986 and greatly enjoyed working with his fellow Lions over the years, holding the presidency twice.
A fellow Lion said he was a mainstay of the club always being the first to volunteer for any job, He was a church warden at St Andrews for many years and a long term volunteer at the talking newspaper.
In 2003 Sue died and after a period of great sadness Geoff found happiness with Linda whom he had known through Sue since his student days.
Geoff and Linda married and set up home at Otters Holt, Culgaith, where the couple enjoyed their shared passions of gardening, walking and craft.
He became treasurer of Culgaith village show and an editor for the Memo. He acquired his first passport and enjoyed many trips abroad with Linda including excursions to New Zealand, Canada and Europe.
Geoff retired in 2016 and enjoyed spending more time with his family, helping Ian, his wife Jane, and Graham with various DIY projects.
He enjoyed spending time with Linda’s children Caroline and Alistair and their partners Andy and Cathy.
He was a gentle and devoted Grandpa to Sophie, Emily, Thomas, Anna, George and Matilda showing endless patience and kindness.
Geoff died at home in Culgaith following a short illness.
His gentleness and compassion and his dedication to helping others defined his whole life and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Donations in memory of Geoff can be made to Penrith Lions and Hospice at Home via Richardsons Funeral Directors.
