I never knew or met Shaky personally, but this news has knocked me for six.
My Dad worked with Shaky at Goss where Shaky was Union Convenor. About 7 years ago another wave of redundancies had been announced, so obviously Shaky, being Union Convenor was in the 'thick of it'. He went out of his way to help everyone and fought for everyone's rights.
My Dad had appealed against redundancy but regretted it - he didn't want to keep working there with so much uncertainty and having already survived previous waves of redundancies. Plus, Goss had closed the pension scheme down.
My Dad got a letter informing his appeal was successful and therefore wouldn't be getting any redundancy pay (if he had stayed on until the next wave, the redundancy package would've been a LOT smaller - something we couldn't afford since my Dad was in his 50's). As said, my Dad regretted it and it was this sequence of events that really got him down.
Shaky came along and helped him - he had meetings with the management and fought for my Dad's redundancy package. His knowledge and kindness made the meetings a success and got my Dad his redundancy package. The redundancy money helped my Dad get a new car and pay off the mortgage - something which was absolutely crucial and helped a great deal when my Dad was made redundant again from the National Football Museum.
As a token of our gratitude, and something which my family (especially my Dad of course) will be forever grateful, we bought him a brick in the 1st phase of the 'Walk of Fame' at Deepdale. After reading a post of his on here, I knew he loved it.
On behalf of my and my family, thanks Dave - you were a top, top bloke. May you rest in peace - you'll certainly never be forgotten.
