Patrick meant an awful lot to me, as he did to so many people. I first met him as a cub reporter on the Hillingdon Mirror in the late 1970s and he and Lesley Cramp immediately became my mentors. They taught me how to write a punchy “intro”, the noble art of expenses claiming to enhance our meagre wage, and introduced me to trade unionism. (We went on strike on only my second day in the job). Their rational arguments and strong beliefs were a powerful influence, and they in fact nurtured a future Father of the NUJ Chapel at the Financial Times. Patrick’s other influence, and I suspect on all who cherished him, was in the art of friendship. He was simply the best of friends, and all of us lucky enough to be in his wide circle learnt from him how to be a better friend. I have never known someone to not only have so many pals, but also to draw and keep them together. He was indeed a sun around which so many revolved. Who knows whether his Belfast origins during a time of violent conflict and hatred influenced him in this regard and made him take the polar-opposite approach to life, or whether he was simply born kind and caring? Whatever the answer, he made the world a brighter, better place through his character, personality and activism. How we will miss his sparkling conversation, fierce intelligence, sharp sense of humour and enviable charm. No one loved a “good time” better, particularly when aided by a little (or more) alcoholic lubrication. It was a privilege to have known him, and especially to have him as a friend. Our sole consolation is that he will stay with us through our fantastic memories of this remarkable person. Our thoughts are with Julia, Rachel and Annie and his close relatives. Grief is the heavy price of love, and yours will be immeasurable because, as Lesley expressed it to me, Patrick was so damned lovable.