Bob Peat’s whole life revolved round his career with John Laing and the four walls of his and his wife Maureen’s home – he was never happier than when his family were all there with him.

Bob was born in Carlisle just before Christmas on December 23, 1928.

He was born to James and Letitia, who was originally from Barga, Italy, but sadly Bob and his sister Mary lost their mum when she was only 31 and they were seven and six. Bob’s earliest memory was being in his mother’s arms and stepping off a tram in Denton Holme.

His family assume this really early memory sparked off his lifelong interest in trams – and there wasn’t much about them that Bob didn’t know.

His other main passion was local history.

He had a wealth of knowledge on so many things related to Carlisle and the surrounding areas.

He would be chatting away about things and then disappear.

The next thing he would be back downstairs with the familiar phrase: “I just happen to have a book on that.”

Meeting his wife, Maureen King, was the best thing that ever happened to both of them.

They were married on March 24, 1955 and would have celebrated 61 years only two days after Bob passed away.

Last year they celebrated their diamond anniversary with family.

They had Janine 18 months after getting married and that was the start of a wonderful life for all three of them.

When his two grandchildren, Francesca and Alex, came along his life was complete.

Maureen was the driving force in their relationship and he was her anchor; they made a perfect match despite being opposites in many ways.

Bob worked at John Laing for his entire working life.

He was a Laing’s man through-and-through.

He started as a driver and general labourer – working his way up to working in the yard at Dalston Road.

He then become transport manager.

His last job with Laing was in the welfare officer post covering the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This was the perfect job for him as he was the most patient, kind and caring, gentle but strong man.

He still did the job, in part, after he retired because people either rang him direct as they “just wanted to ask something” or because the next welfare officers – and indeed anyone associated with Laing – always knew to ask Bobby Peat, saying: “He will know and if he doesn’t he will know where to find out or who to ask.”

Maureen and Bob were a team.

She always said he was so laidback he was horizontal – but also strong, calm and capable.

She was proud at how hard he worked for her and the family.

He will be sadly missed by Maureen, Janine , Francesca and Alex, family, friends and the many people who knew him from his 50 years with Laing.

A funeral service was held at St Michael’s Church, Stanwix, followed by a private family burial at Stanwix Cemetery the next day.