EULOGY STEPHEN JAMES SHARP
Stephen James was born on a Saturday – the 5th March, 1960 – to Joan and William Sharp, in Woolwich, south London. A blue-eyed baby with platinum blonde hair.
Steve, as he was to become affectionately known, was the middle child, having an older sister, Jennifer and younger sister, Alison.
They were a close family, and Steve was a typical boy, even though a city boy, he enjoyed many outdoor pursuits like fishing with his Dad, William, who he was especially close to. He also enjoyed playing out on the streets with the kids from his neighbourhood, on the homemade go-kart that his Dad had made for him, hurtling down the hills, and being pushed back up them by his little sister Alison, who he could boss around.
Another mode of transport for the young Steve, was the red trike he owned, which he would ride hell for leather down the pavement, perfecting the art of remaining seated even when the front wheel feel off, which was a regular occurrence. It was a happy and fun childhood, where those carefree days created wonderful memories.
Steve often spoke of his Dad, he introduced Steve to many things, and together they had a close bond. His Mum often packed a picnic for them all, and as a family they would go to Victoria Park, where they would play ball, and their Dad would feed the pigeons and squirrels from his hand, something that Steve loved to do with him.
Once a year, the Circus would visit Blackheath Common, and Steve and his family would be taken as a big treat, to the Big Top, and Steve and his sisters marvelled at the Lion Tamers, Clowns and Circus performers.
His early childhood was spent in Woolwich and also nearby Charlton, but the family moved to Huntingdon, a place where Steve got his love for birds, someone had given him an Observer book of Birds, and within no time, he knew every bird in the book and could easily describe the nesting habits, colour and migration of most.
Living in Huntingdon, it was also close to the River Ouse, and being a keen fisherman, Steve would cycle the 10 minute ride from his home to fish. Like many, he started off with a gardening cane, but quickly progressed to a proper rod, bought for him by his Dad.
However,  it was also there that Steve attended school, St Peter’s Comprehensive, where his older sister Jenny was already a pupil. It was a particular time in his life that he didn’t enjoy, and couldn’t wait to leave and start work. Telling the kids that they were all a bunch of country bumpkins, probably didn’t help his cause.
He left school, and first applied for the Military – so a stint in the army was on the cards for Steve, however, it was short lived, as he had trouble with his cartilage in his knee, and had to leave for medical reasons.
Steve’s first job, was as a milkman, which he did for quite a while. Early mornings and cold weather didn’t phase him at all, and of an evening, Steve would relax at home, often on his CB radio, where he would talk to other CB radio fanatics.
One of those was Sally. They got talking over the CB radio network, and soon realised that they had a lot in common. Steve then suggested they meet for an “eyeball” - the term used for CB radio users to meet in person.
That was the early 80s, and Sally said of Steve then, she just liked him – he made her laugh and they got on well.
Steve had already moved to Orpington, where he was by now working for Coates Inks along the Sevenoaks Way, and Sally was working just a few factories along.
They were soon quite serious, and before long, were married at Bromley Register Office in 1985, with home being a flat in St Mary Cray, not far from where they both worked.
Married life for Steve and Sally was a happy one – although sadly not blessed with children of their own, they did have a huge family, with lots of nieces and nephews who they adored. Steve was known for being the prankster in the family, and there are many stories where Steve’s sense of humour and silly pranks featured in. One of those was from his sister in law – they were having a family day at the beach, a rather pebbly beach. His sister in law was at the waters edge, and was checking to see how cold the sea was – when she could hear the rather loud footsteps of someone running down the beach behind her. Knowing it was Steve, who was probably up to no good, she ducked, and Steve flew right over the top of her, into the cold sea, fully dressed – another one of his pranks backfiring on him, as they usually did.
Sally said, he was always up to something, and a familiar nickname for him from his family was Mr Plonker – a name given to him because so many of his pranks went wrong. He was also known as Mr Pringle by his nieces and nephews for his moustache.
After working for Coates Inks for a while, Steve then got work on the Railway – he loved trains, especially steam trains, and working with many others who had the same fascination as him, it began the start of a new hobby.
Steve was always very good with his hands, a creative man who could make almost anything. He had started going to model train exhibitions all over the country, and this started his own little business, making model trains at home.
Sally and Steve had by now moved to a house in Amherst Drive, which gave them an extra bedroom, which Steve converted into his workshop. Many hours would be spent up there, making model trains out of plasticard or copper from scratch – he was very talented. He sold these at the exhibitions that he attended, growing quite a following too. Steve also made many good friends from his hobby of model trains, and Sally has said that these were really happy times for Steve.
However, Steve retired from working on the railway, and focused on working in his workshop, making models to order. Sally said, she would often go up there, taking up a cup of tea, or his favourite of Hot Cross Buns, as he was busy working away.
He was quite fussy with his food, liking Pot Noodles, Vesta Currys and Sally’s homemade Sausage Casserole, which unbeknown to Steve, she hid loads of vegetables in, telling him it was only sausages and potatoes in the popular dish. He didn’t know that she crammed it full of vegetables, something that Steve really didn’t like. What Steve did like was anything sweet – however, being diabetic, didn’t help.
He was a creature of habit – he knew what he liked and didn’t like trying new things. He watched his favourite TV shows over and over – Last of the Summer Wine, which he always said, reminded him of his Dad, and also the TV classic, Only Fools and Horses – he never tired of watching them. He also had a three wheeler car once, which Sally said, caught fire. She had to ring the Fire Service to get them to come to their rescue, and said she felt embarrassed saying that her husband’s three wheeler was ablaze.
Steve, however, had a great sense of humour, and would find the funny in any situation, with much of it based on the popular TV show, The Goons – another classic favourite of Steve’s.
Sally said, they were always laughing and enjoying life together, even as they got older, and didn’t get out as much, due to Steve’s ongoing health issues. Having Diabetes, this also led onto a few other health problems, and over the years, Sally said she saw Steve decline, even though he didn’t complain about it.
But on the morning of the 16th April, Steve went downstairs to make a cup of tea, when Sally heard him fall – rushing down to his aid, it was apparent that Steve had suffered a major heart attack. He sadly passed away that day, after Sally and the London Ambulance Crew had tried every effort to save him.
Sally said, although she misses him terribly, she is comforted by the fact that Steve is no longer in any pain, and free from the suffering that his health was causing him. Sally was with him as he passed. Steve was loved dearly in his lifetime, and shall continue to be remembered and loved in death too.