IT was hard to get over-emotional at Joe Larkin's funeral. For one thing, this no-nonsense little Lancashire character wouldn't have liked it! And, for another, he'd managed to pack oceans of adventure and experience into his 86 years.

Joe had a near-death experience as a young wartime petty-officer when his ship was torpedoed by a German submarine. And he also defied the the odds by beating off the effects of a series of strokes spread out over several decades.

He got over them with no lasting effects. In fact, setbacks seemed to ping off Joe like hail off an umbrella.

An accomplished professional caterer, he'd provided meals for diners as varied as naval officers, jailed criminals (at Preston prison) and a succession of golf club captains.

In his latter years, still as restlessly energetic as ever, he was a familiar and popular sight helping out at the Larkins Restaurant in North Road, St Helens, owned by son Tony and his family.

Joe was gifted with a wry sense of humour which shone through his mock stern personality and he was a great guy to reminisce with about the old days. Born shortly after the outbreak of the first world war into a large, close-knit family he'd plenty to remember and his mind remained pin-sharp right up to the lengthy, cruel bout of illness which finally laid him low.

The greatest tragedy in his life was the loss several years ago of his beloved wife, Martha. They met while he was working as a decorator (he'd tried his hand at a variety of trades and professions) and she was employed behind the counter of a St Helens paint store. He often related how they "fell in love over three rolls of wallpaper". And the marriage lasted for 47 years.

Considering that he had outlived most of his contemporaries, there was an impressive turn-out for his funeral service at St Helens Parish Church, many of them friends young enough to have been his grandchildren. Among those mingling with the family mourners were Saints skipper Chris Joynt and Dave Lyon, of the club's coaching staff. This gave some indication of the broad sweep of Joe's friendships and acquaintances.

Though he'd lived in St Helens town centre for many years, Joe had deep Haydock roots and he remained, in character and spirit, the definitive old-style Yicker -- blunt, but big-hearted, and always ready to do friends and neighbours a good turn.

I'll certainly miss him...