THE WEST Cumbrian community gathered to pay their respects to a well-loved Flimby man.

Michael Gordon Dunsmoir, owner of Kirkland Carpet and Bed Centre in Cleator Moor, died on New Year’s Eve at the age of 71.

Mr Dunsmoir knew he was dying and wrote his own story to share with mourners, which was read by his good friend Andrew Richardson at his funeral at St John's Church in Hensingham yesterday (Thursday).

Mr Dunsmoir spent a very happy childhood in Flimby with his parents and siblings John and Helen.

His words told of school holidays spent riding his bike for miles and going for picnics and walks on the fells.

Mr Dunsmoir attended Flimby Primary School and Netherhall School, but did not enjoy his time in school much.

At 15 he got his first job working on a building site, but the bus fare to get there was more expensive than what he earned.

When he started working in a supermarket he found his career in retail, but he also met the love of his life, Sylvia.

She worked in the shop opposite the supermarket and they fell in love.

Mourners heard of Mr Dunsmoir's happy memories of when he lived in Highfield, Cockermouth, round the corner from his mum, who he described as "a tremendous support".

Mr Dunsmoir was also part of the twinning project with Marvejols, of which he had happy memories.

His words told mourners of happy family holidays in Lapland, Spain, Jersey and the Isle of Man, as well as many trips away with the Workington Speedway team, which he sponsored.

Following the death of his wife Sylvia, Mr Dunsmoir had another child, Dominic, who visited him in hospital before his passing.

Mr Richardson read Mr Dunsmoir's words to his grandchildren: "I love my five grandchildren, whom I'm very proud of, Courtney, Abigail, Aaron, Adam and Aiden, who loved me for all my faults.

"I'm proud of their achievements and I want them to do well in their lives.

"Think of me often and remember, family comes first."

He also thanked his sons Andrew and Alistair for all their hard work and addressed the whole family with a final message: "As mum and dad would say, look after each other and stay close. God bless you all, love you all forever."

Newsquest Cumbria attended the funeral with permission from Mr Dunsmoir's family.