THE FAMILY of Solihull inventor Ray Dyke have set up a page to raise funds to pay for a memorial bench.
Ray, who was known across the borough for everything from selling his cheese cobs to his madcap inventions and being the handyman people turned to in an emergency, passed away at his home in Leafield Road on July 19.
The 86-year-old, who was renowned for his generous heart, dedicated his life to helping Silhillians where he could.
Now, his family are asking residents to dig deep and help raise £1,400 to pay for a bench in his honour.
Ray’s funeral is this Friday, August 26, and will be in line with his wishes for it to be ‘yampy, happy and not your standard normal funeral.’
However he will have one last tour of Solihull before heading to Robin Hood Crematorium for a service at 3.30pm.
Starting on Leafield Road it will take in St Augustine’s Catholic Church, St Alphege Church, Platform Three bar in Olton, The Spread Eagle on Warwick Road, Jeffries Hardware on Shirley Road and finally to the crematorium.
The family have asked for any donations to be put towards a bench in memory of Ray.
His grandson, Patrick O’Neil, said: ““Grandad Ray was one of a kind. He was a very happy man, known and loved by so many.
“Grandad always wanted his funeral to be one big party.
“He want it to be wacky, yampy, happy and not your standard normal funeral.”
For more or to donate visit Just Giving and search for ‘benches in memory of Ray’.
