Dearest Malcolm

I miss you every day. I miss our cups of tea together and our daytime work banter, our grumbles about work, sharing recipes and gardening tips, talking about our love of Whitby bay and Scarborough. I miss your stories about students and your face lighting up when you talked about your plans for the future. I miss your strength and support when things get me down and your eternal optimism. I miss your warmth and love, your caring and selfless nature. Preston College is not the same without you and nor am I. I feel incredibly priviliged to have worked and sat next to you for the last 8 years. You touched the lives of so many people and asked for nothing in return. Your dedication to your vocation is inspirational, you make me as so many others, a better person for having known you. There is an empty void since you have gone that cannot be filled, you are Malcolm, simply irreplaceable. God bless you and take care of you Malcolm. I pray you are happy and doing all the lovely things you planned to do in your retirement.

I won't ever forget you Malcolm. Thank you for being there for me and sticking up for me.

Lots of love Caroline x

I first met Malcolm when I was taken up to Preston College from Preston Careers by Paul Martin, who is now a careers adviser at Uclan, in around 1992. Both Paul and I and many others from Lancashire Careers ,Careerlink and Connexions Preston all enjoyed working with him . My favourite memory is a 2 hours Careers lesson delivered by Malcolm and I to Health and Social Care students in the 90s! He was the consummate professional,ever ready with acaring, empathetic wit and sound advice and well grounded with his interest in athletics and football and rugby. Every Christmas for several years he invited us all into town for a meal and a drink, which was greatly appreciated by many of us.

I will always miss his brilliance and sheer honesty.

David Wright Young People's Service Preston

Malcolm and Angie were so supportive and friendly to me when I first started at Preston College. They continued to be good friends! Malcolm had only one agenda and that was what was best for the students. There is the saying "that some people come into your life but leave footprints on your heart"
This was true of Malcolm, he epitomised all that was good about Preston College and left an indelible mark on all the lives he touched. A really special person sadly missed.

Angela Callagher

I only knew Malcolm for a couple of years -working alongside him once a week in Student Support delivering careers advice. As so many have already said he always took the time out of his busy day to ask how you were, share in your struggles and successes. And he would always ensure I had a brew!

The last time I saw Malcolm was when he had just been admitted to hospital. I was there to visit a friend and popped into the ward to drop off a card for him (not being a close friend I didn't want to impose) but Malcolm insisted I sit with him a while and tell me what I was upto and described how he had come to learn about his condition. Even in the wake of shocking news and discomfort his true nature won through - a genuine interest in people ,patience and empathy.

It isn't the same at College without him. Such a quiet gentle presence has left in it's absence such a noticeable void. With almost every student I see I ask myself what would Malcolm do with this query? He will remain mycareers guru for some time to come....

Angela Dunne

My very deepest sympathy. I worked with Malcolm in Student Support for 7 years, he was a true gentleman, so kind and caring. He was always genuinely interested in my family and was always ready to listen to me moaning or having a joke with him. He chastised me (jokingly) if I hadnt done the gardening! I will truly miss him. and our little chats by the kettle! Much love always, Ve xxx

I first met Malcolm in 2000 at Preston College, we worked together in Student Support for 8 years. He was such a genuine, lovely and respectful colleague and friend, someone I deeply trusted and valued. He had a keen interest in everyone he worked with, student or colleague and never waivered in his committment to all. He had such an impact on so many, he will be greatly missed and always remembered.

Debbie x

Malcolm was a wonderful person who touched the hearts of many, with his kindness, supportiveness and care that he bestowed on all of those who knew him.

Jan (Preston College)

Dear Malcolm - I miss you so much. We worked together for 15 years and he enriched my life in some way every day; from that first phone call congratulating me on getting the job in Student Support, to the last time we walked out together before he was taken ill. We shared so much. Although there were times when we exasperated each other, it was always quickly resolved due to the deep seated affection and respect we had for one another. Malcolm has a mischievous sense of fun, teasing me incessantly about my seeming obsession with Donny Osmond. He was always interested in my family and what they were up to. In essence, he was someone we all respected and admired tremendously and every student he gave his time to benefitted from his wisdom.

Malcolm, I am a better person for knowing you and I will never forget you.

With fondest love

Tina xx

Please accept my deepest sympathies. Malcolm was a great man and I feel privileged to have worked with somebody who was incredibly talented. He had a great sense of humour, he was very friendly and supportive of everyone. He will be missed.

Anisah Lorgat

Malcolm will be very much missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. Malcolm was a pleasure to work with, his generosity, patience and ever-gentle manner was an example to us all and will be remembered always. Rest In Peace Malcolm.

Emily

I was so sorry to hear of your loss and am thinking of you all during this difficult time. Although I only worked with Malcolm for a short period of time, he made a very big impression in a very calm, gentle and caring manner. He always had time and patience for both staff and students and was very committed tohis job often working during evenings and weekends whenever necessary. It was a pleasure to have known such a lovely man.

Sharon Hardman

Please accept my deepest sympathies. Malcolm was so supportive and kind to me during a past dark period.Iwill not forget.

Paul Hardaker

I came across Malcolm many years ago when I worked at a neighbouring College, and there was some common work undertaken. Malcolm was the consumate professional, knowledge, kind, considerate and always courteous. He taught my daughter when she was following a post-graduate teaching course - he made a big impact on her, as he did to everyone he met.

He cared deeply about every student as an individual, and as a fellow professional I can pay him no greater compliment

He wil be sadly missed

Ian

I remember how good Malcolm was with my daughter when she was struggling to findthe right course. She disliked the 'A' levels,was missing lessons and we were at a complete loss with her. Malcolm took over, sorted out a BTEC in Performing Arts and she never looked back. She loved it and did extremely well, gaining student of the year and is now working with children and using this talent.

He was gentle, patient, a truly lovely man.

Marian Vaughn

I feel so sad for your loss - Malcolm was a genuine person full of compassion and always had a kind word to share with you. He will be missed so much by many people who were lucky enough to know him.