Father’s Eulogy
Read on Monday 14th January 2013
Introduction
My father, Terence James Versey—known to most as Terry or, as I’ll refer to him here, TV—was born on 30th September 1947, the first child of Francis and Mary Versey, better known as Jimmy and Molly. Over the next five years, TV was joined by his brothers, Paul and Chris, and together they were raised in the family home on Cornwall Road in Felixstowe.
Chris will share more about their childhood days, so I’ll fast-forward to the years that shaped TV’s adult life, his career, his family, and his legacy.
Early Career & Family Life
After leaving school in the early 1960s, TV began work as a trainee butcher, but it didn’t take long for him to swap knives for trowels—starting an apprenticeship with Rogers Brothers, the largest employer in the Walton/Felixstowe area at the time. Many of his former workmates from Rogers are here today. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with Barry Gilder, Kenny, and Steve Rogers, who fondly recalled lunchtime 11-a-side games on the rec and site banter that made Auf Wiedersehen, Pet look like Mary Poppins.
The late 60s brought two major turning points in TV’s life. First, he met Susan, who would become his wife—and my mother. At the time, she already had two daughters, Tracey and Paula, whom TV welcomed as his own. Within 18 months, I came along and we lived as a family in Philip Avenue.
The second turning point came in 1969, when he joined the Felixstowe Dock Company, starting out as a 21-year-old with Dave Brunning and Ginger Lloyd.
In 1972, my parents married (yes, do the maths) and we moved to Beaconfield Road. By 1980, our family was complete: Rory arrived in 1975, and Tamara in 1980.
FT&LCFC 1962/63
Back Row: Kenny Rogers, Richard Cook, Bob Rackham, Martin Hughes, Terry Versey, Tony Welburn
Front Row: Neil McKinnon, Honky Studd, Mick Worral, Jimmy Green, Paul Bowdidge
Favourite Memories from His Children
Tracey
Tracey remembers TV buying her Dinky Toys as a toddler—her favourites. She also recalls the football glory days (more on that later).
Paula
As a retained fireman, TV had a massive fire bell in the hallway that Paula remembers going off for what felt like an hour. She also remembers Sunday crab runs to Dougie Goodhalls—fried sprats for tea, and live crabs scuttling across the kitchen floor.
Jamie (Me)
One of my earliest memories is from 1975, when Ipswich Town lost 4-0 to Club Brugge after winning 3-0 at home. I came down to find TV throwing his scarf in the bin—my first exposure to football heartbreak.
A favourite memory? Every time I had a mate over for the football, we’d wait until TV was in the kitchen making tea, shout “GOAL!”, and hear him charge back in, convinced he’d missed a moment. It worked every time.
Rory
On one trip to Edinburgh’s Princes Street, TV bought Rory a green tartan cap—making him look like an 8-year-old Benjamin Button. Later, when snowballing each other near Tony Hockley’s allotment, TV slipped and fell, only to be buried in snow by his own kids.
Another memory involves renovating Cornwall Road. TV was taking a pickaxe to the old ceiling—until it stuck in a patch of concrete. Not letting go, he flew through the air like King Louie from The Jungle Book and landed in a heap.
Tamara
She remembers him helping with swimming lessons at Causton School—though she’s unsure if it was pure parental dedication or a crush on the teacher! She also said his homemade spare ribs were the best she’s ever tasted.
“It’s in the grill!”
I’ll leave that phrase there—for my siblings, who’ll instantly know what I mean.
The Man
TV loved Neil Diamond, country music, and any sport—especially football and cricket (Surrey was his team). He wasn’t much of a reader, though we did find the odd sports book and, yes, the odd glossy magazine too.
His true love outside of family was the Labour Club. He played football, snooker, and served on the committee for years. We spent endless weekends there as a family. But nothing topped Easter Sunday 1990, when he managed Felixstowe Town & Labour Club FC to a historic Suffolk Shield victory—the first time a Felixstowe side ever won a Suffolk Sunday Cup. The chants of “TV! TV! TV!” rang all the way home.
Harder Times
In 1991, TV took redundancy from the docks. With Tracey and Paula moved out, home life declined, and my parents divorced in 1993. I lived with him until 1997, but eventually our relationship broke down, leading to an estrangement we sadly never repaired.
TV had a battle with alcohol. Whiskey, in particular. I won’t sugarcoat it—that struggle is part of why we’re all here today. But he still found happiness. In the mid-2000s, he met Sheila, and they spent six wonderful years together. Sheila, thank you—for bringing joy, support, and stability during TV’s final chapter.
Final Thoughts
Despite everything, TV remained funny, full of character, and fiercely loyal (to friends rather than family). He left behind a lifetime of stories, laughter, frustrations, and occasionally love (although for the wrong people).
Rest in peace, TV.
