The
McCarney
Foundation
I will never forget the day a great friend of ours Andy Coop brought him into the Staffline office on Colmore Row in Birmingham. Eug and I hit it off immediately and he became more than a colleague to me, over the years Eugene was also a friend, a brother, a team mate, a golf buddy, a mentor and a boss.
I took a beer with me in my rucksack and took a moment to remember the life of a great man and a great friend. You'll never walk alone gaffer.
Following my trip to Snowden I got planning my next walk. Eug knew I was into my hiking and often spoke fondly about his hometown of Pembrokeshire. I recall at one point Eugene telling me that him and Pru were considering buying a holiday home out there ans that I would love it so I decided I would go and see where Eugene had fondly spend to many years.
I decided to walk the coastal path and I was not disappointed, the views were spectacular and I was lucky enough to spot grey seals, puffins and porpoises however not quick enough with my camera to snap them!
I thought about Eugene lots and imagined what he would have been like as a boy growing up. For those that haven't walked the coastal path and National Park in Pembrokeshire please allow me to explain.
You are often only a couple of feet from the edge of the cliff, on one side rugged Welsh countryside and the other the water of the estuary or the Ocean, the beauty is astounding, the danger is exciting and the risks made it all worthwhile.
I think maybe that's why Eugene became the man he was, he really was an inspiration and a beautiful soul, he would do anything for anyone and so incredibly generous, he did things his way, backing himself knowing that dangerous decisions were mitigated with his incredible leadership skills.
