Very sad to hear that Andrew passed away. I was a friend of his at FBS. RIP Andrew, I remember you with affection. Condolences to all your family Robert Williams

In Memoriam: Andy and Cyn first met 51 years ago, when they were 13 years old. They were married for 44 of those years. And, Cyn tells me, with rarely a crossed word. All of which facts are extra-ordinary. Andy attended Clarence Road, Chesworth and Forest Boys, graduating from Forest in 1970. He joined Pictorial Machinery, latterly Monotype, where he completed his engineering apprenticeship, when apprenticeships were still the norm. I learned only last week from Nick that the results of a couple of Andy's apprenticeship projects are still in use at Mikura, of which more in a minute. From Monotype he went to Denley, which succumbed to a buyout by an American company that resulted in Denley being wound up, when all production was moved to the US. Enter Uri, a partnership acquaintance from the Denley days, and the creation of Mikura as a partnership between Uri and Andy. Mikura is an entrepreneurial design and manufacturing firm specialising in medical laboratory equipment. Andy was braver than most to start out on and make a success of such a venture. Andy and Cyn managed to weather the hardships of the nationwide 3-day week in the mid '70s, which threatened to be financially ruinous for many families. Cyn can vividly recall the hardships their family suffered. At the time all this was happening, Cyn and Andy welcomed Nick and Steph into the world of Cain. A document we recently found on Andy's laptop, written three years ago, was as unexpected as it was affirming of his feelings for, belief in and support of Cyn, Nick and Steph, and their partners Jayk and Lucy. His support of those close to him was unquestionable, undying, practical and, on occasion, when necessary, forthright. Andy's family was not limited to those directly related to him but was far larger including others, with whom he shared the utmost respect, understanding and love. Cyn shares all of those feelings very deeply. As a youngster Andy was inclined to disobedience. I can recall frequently having to scour the streets of Oakhill on school days looking for the little (beep) too often in sub-zero temperatures to bring him home for tea. And of course we had our personal differences; there was the occasion I was struck in the face by a flying toy pistol. The incident was entirely my fault simply because I forgot to duck. But there are no recriminations. Every day of the last three years, whenever Andy could, he and I chatted about whatever subject was topical; the previous or next weekend's activities, the first Mrs Cains, our children and grand children (our newest joys), his new BMW, and sport. I'm was so pleased he was able to at least listen to the England cricket team win the ODI World Cup final. You may be surprised to hear that Andy had a tendency, on occasion, to curmudgeon, to express unsolicited and contrary opinions within earshot of all around him. No subject escaped his attention, least of all incompetence, authority, Trump, Johnson, in fact every politician that's ever lived, religion in all its guises and television adverts! A more recent subject was his passing. Andy forbade any form of extravagance for his funeral. He evidently would have preferred a Viking-style burning longship sent to the horizon or more simply a pyre in his back garden. Well, you almost got your wish Andy but we felt a celebration was in order; a remembrance of all you have meant to all of us, and hopefully, some closure for we who are left behind.

Grief is the price we pay for love. The grief will pass in time, but our love will never diminish.