Craig Harold Whipps 28th June 1984 – 15th July 2011
From the Parish News – September 2011
It is always with great sadness when we have to record the death of a young person taken in the prime of life, and when it is a young man of only 27 years, killed through an unprecedented farm accident, it is particularly poignant. Craig lost his life after being overcome by fumes of hydrogen sulphide gas while working on a farm in Essex.
The son of Christopher Whipps and Yvonne Denham, Craig was well known in Denton and surrounding area for his great zest for life, whether in his work on the family farm, taking part in his varied sporting activities or his life as a family man, Craig put heart, soul and maximum commitment into whatever he was doing, which was undertaken with vigour and an underlying sense of humour.
Following his education at Framlingham College and Writtle Agricultural college, he worked on various farms during holidays and weekends, as well as at Low Farm, Denton with his father Chris. He was absolutely committed to farming which was very much in his blood being one of the fourth generation in farming. He was happy to work long hours even at weekends or Christmas and holidays, and was just as happy whether sitting on the seat of a tractor or tending the stock where he showed a distinct love for animals. It was after the decision to dispose of the dairy herd last April that he left to work on the farm at Stapleford Tawney where the fatal accident occurred.
Craig's enthusiasm for sport with his natural talent coupled with determination made him an asset to the hockey, cricket and rugby teams he played with, always playing with exuberance and the will to win, a characteristic that prevailed in everything he was engaged in.
Craig was also very much a family man, sharing his love with the older members of his family especially his grandparents and great-uncle Charlie, as well as both his parents and his younger sister Emma who tells of the competitive spirit they had as children and the big brother who taught her so much, such as how to drive a tractor – without Dad knowing! He was very much at ease with his other four sisters of his extended family, enjoying being the "big brother" to his half sisters Ruth and Claire, and considered himself lucky to gain two older sisters, Helen and Jennifer after Chris was married to Jean.
The culmination of his family life came when he met his future wife Vicky, from the moment of their meeting he was obviously "smitten", even though he was just recovering from being kicked and knocked unconscious by a bull! The immense pride and joy that he showed following the birth of their daughter Bethany was overwhelming. Sadly the time they had together as a family was all too short as Bethany has lost her loving father, and Vicky her "Prince Charming".
Our love, sympathy and condolences go to Vicky and Bethany, Chris and Jean, Yvonne and Pete, sister Emma and all the family who have lost Craig, a loving husband, father, son, brother, grandson nephew and friend.
A Celebration of Craig's Life was held at St Mary's on 20th August.