Cyril Stephenson

I did my time and received a Freeman of the City award as a diesel mechanic at C&E Motors on the A45 island at Canley, which is now a Homebase store, where I worked in what was known as the 'Top shop'. The foreman of the workshop was Cyril Stephenson who was a local legend in the garage trade and with very just cause. Cyril was a very able engineer and always had the ability to demand the highest respect from the lads, and I am proud to say I worked under him for many years until the garage closed. Over the years certain stories would slip out about Cyril from people who knew him in earlier days, and whilst Cyril was introvert about his past, especially his life during the war, the stories persisted. He was a very moral man always believed in doing the right thing but in a quiet way. Unfortunately on occasions Cyril found himself in situations that demanded a more serious response and he was not found wanting. When I knew him he always kept in very good shape, and I was recently reminded of an incident a few years back when in his eighties, he was in Coventry precinct doing his shopping when he was picked on by a yob in his twenties for no apparent reason. As Cyril moved away the yob grabbed his arm to push him, shortly afterwards said yob woke up on the pavement with his nose broken, the police were called and the young man was asked if he wanted to press charges on Cyril for assault but he declined when it was explained to him that he would have to give evidence in court as to how he had been knocked to the floor with a single blow from an eighty year old man. Whilst not wishing to glorify violence it does give an excellent example of the type of person Cyril was. I remember one Christmas in the Herald pub in Canley where we went for a pre Christmas drink, Cyril, who had had a few pints of Brew XI told us, after a bit of persuasion, about a couple of incidents that happened when he was in the Royal Marines in France during the war. Anybody who knew Cyril hearing these stories would not have doubted them for a second but I can't help feeling that there was a great story or two in his past that because of his modesty would never be known, so if you knew Cyril and want to set the story straight about him please let me know. To the best of my knowledge he lived somewhere off the London Road and drank in the Royal Oak.

Have finally found the time to catch up on the postings. and thought I would revisit a subject I raised last year but didn't get any response to. Cyril Stevenson was a man who commanded a lot of respect from all who knew him and I recently, very sadly came across his obituary in the Coventry Telegraph. The site records that 255 people had viewed the page so I thought I would give it one last try to see if anybody has memories of a very dear man. Obituary reads as follows- STEVENSON Cyril Raymond (Ex East Yorks Regiment, 3rd Light Infantry Division, Dunkurk and D-Day Veteran. Ex C&E Motors) Cherished friend of Chris, Pauline and Steve and a special companion to his beloved dog Coco. Lost his final battle on December 30th 2009 aged 91 years. Bravely fought. A keen Angler, Gardener, Animal Lover, but above all a 'True English Gentleman' and a 'Real Coventry Kid' Cyril will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Funeral Service to take place on Wednesday January 20th at Charter Chapel, Canley Crematorium at 10.00am. Floral tributes maybe sent c/o Co-Op Funeral Services, 184, Ansty Road, Wyken, Coventry, CV2 3EX. Tel 02476 650619