Alby Douglas, who died last month at the age of 73, was a family man, a well-known police officer, and a man of many interests and talents.
Born and raised in Easington Colliery — the north east village where the hit film Billy Elliot was made — he was the son of Albert and Ann and had an older brother, Dennis.
At the age of just 14 he began his first job on a delivery van , and he also used to release racing dogs from their traps to earn extra money.
His father died when he was only 15, leaving him, Dennis and their mother to welcome half-sister Mary back into their fold as they took care of each other. Ann doted on Alby and they shared a special relationship for the rest of her years.
He eventually joined his brother and peers down the pits, but decided to further his education by going on to study electrical engineering at Newcastle University.
There he met wife to be Teresa at a disco. She was 19 and he was 24 when they shared a kiss on the steps of Teresa’s student flat overlooking the seafront at Cullercoats, near Tynemouth.
They were married in 1978 at Sunniside Church, with the reception at the local miners’ social club, followed by a party at the miners’ welfare hall in Marley Hill, near Gateshead.
The demise of the coal mines resulted in Alby joining the police force which meant relocation to Barrow, where his and Teresa’s first child, Kathryn, was born in 1982.
After a couple of years. Alby became the local bobby at Hallthwaites, Millom, and lived in the community police house there, where twins Charlotte and James were born in 1985.
However, as community stations began to close, Alby was offered a post as sergeant at police headquarters in Penrith in 1987, so the family moved to the town, where Alby and Teresa had lived ever since.
Alby was a keen walker and knew the Lake District like the back of his hand — he always used an Ordnance Survey map and a compass.
Connecting with nature and challenging himself against the elements was a passion of his and one he shared with family and friends.
He loved a challenging climb and a rewarding view, but was also happy with an easier, low level walk. He was a member of several walking groups, including one set up for dads at his children’s primary school, St Catherine’s. That group is still going after 35 years.
Not all his hobbies were physically challenging though. Latterly he could be found relaxing with a paintbrush in hand. He joined a local art group, where he discovered his abilities with watercolour and made yet more friends.
He was also a man who liked to dance and loved to travel — and would always dress for the occasion. He had a wide taste in music and particularly liked tunes to which he and Teresa could Lindy Hop.
Following retirement, he and Teresa loaded up their backpacks and set off inter-railing around Europe — Teresa took him on the exact route she travelled when she was 19, albeit with slightly better accommodation!
The couple shared all sorts of holidays as a family over the years — taking the children youth hostelling, camping and hiking before eventually travelling further afield to places including Barbados, Qatar, Dubai, Thailand and Australia, where daughter Kathryn now lives. Alby even learned to ski in his 50s.
His last family holiday was in a caravan in Bamburgh to celebrate his 73rd birthday on the Northumberland coast — a special place to both him and Teresa.
Alby was a proud and loving husband, dad and grandad, a supportive friend, and a pillar of strength for those who needed him. He showed grace and resilience throughout his illnesses and continued to enjoy his hobbies and time with family and friends, demonstrating an extraordinary capacity for hope and perseverance.
He leaves behind Teresa; Kathryn, who is married to Kris and lives in Australia; Charlotte, who is married to Christopher and lives in Kendal; and James, of Tirril, who is married to Rhiannon; along with grandchildren Harriet, Imogen, Elliott and Austin.
The funeral was held at Eden Valley Crematorium, Temple Sowerby, with donations for cancer charity Maggie’s Trust. Richardson’s Funeral Directors, Penrith, had charge of arrangements.
