Celebrating the life of Stuart Lilley

It is with great sadness that we bring you the news of Stuart Lilley’s passing on Boxing Day. Stuart spent many years volunteering throughout our communities and always had a smile and a tale to tell

It is with great sadness that we bring you the news of Stuart Lilley’s passing on Boxing Day.

Stuart spent many years volunteering throughout our communities and always had a smile and a tale to tell. As you can see from the comments below he was held in a very high regard by so many different groups and this piece is meant as a celebration of his life.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

Katie Meakin of Upper Horfield Community Trust says, “Stuart was an integral part of the Upper Horfield Community Trust and in particular our Community Garden Club. Stuart dedicated many hours a week volunteering his time within the grounds of UHCT and Eden Grove Methodist Church. He enjoyed many aspects of the Garden Club and always got involved with any events where he could raise money by selling plants and produce, and will be fondly remembered for always wearing shorts regardless of the weather and was rarely seen without his famous hat. He was a private person however and loved to talk about plants and trees, he was well known in the local area for leading walks and the outdoors was always his passion. Stuart enjoyed helping supervise any community payback workers that we often have on site at UHCT to assist with grounds work, he would always build a rapport with them and worked hard alongside them in all winds and weather! He will be sadly missed by us all at UHCT and the Garden Club”.

 Emily Shimell at the Old Library comments, “"Stuart brought much joy and much knowledge month in month out to our Old Library garden group, and his enthusiasm and experience will be sorely missed by us all at the Old Library and within our community. We are hugely thankful for the time he gave to help us & for bringing a ray of sunshine even on rainy and cold winter days - it was such a pleasure to get to know Stuart and his jolly ways. The Old Library sends all our love & thoughts out to his family & all those he shared time with across the community. Thank you Stuart Lilley for planting seeds that will forever grow xxx "

Catherine Lawson at Buzz Lockleaze says, “We have very positive memories of Stewart at Buzz. He was a regular in the café before taking the walking group and often did work in the garden. Stewart was a unique personality, seemingly quiet and reserved, and yet so enthusiastic, engaging and full of good humour and wit once you started talking to him. Such a dedicated, positive and intelligent man, he will be impossible to replace and much missed by us all”.

Ruth Revell of the Friends of Stoke Park adds, “This is such sad news. During a period of ill health I walked with his Wednesday walking group & they really looked after me. I was impressed with Stuarts detailed knowledge and enjoyed conversations about hiking exploits. Thoughts with all of Stuart’s friends in the community and family. What a huge loss”.