Brian Craven

We have received the very sad news of the passing of former colleague Brian Craven who worked in the Liverpool Export Sales team.  On Thursday 1 August the following was posted on his Facebook timeline:

We would love to invite all those who knew Brian and would like to help us celebrate his life to a service on:


Friday 23rd August 2024 at 12:00 at Ormskirk Cricket Club, Altys Lane, Ormskirk, L39 4RG 


Followed by a reception with refreshments for anyone who would like to stay. 


We are planning an informal celebration with no dress code  and no need to bring anything -  except maybe your best Brian story.  Bri always said he wanted a fancy dress funeral and while we're not going that far, we think we can safely assume he wouldn't want everyone to wear black! 


Although not required, should anyone wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers we would be honoured for donations to be made to Cancer Research UK in his memory - because it turns out cancer is, in the words of the man himself, 'a bummer'.

Brian (on the right) with former colleagues Neil Pritchard, Steve Tite and Carl Yates at the recent SCARA North West gathering in Liverpool. 

Many of us will know Brian from his time in the Northern Sales team with P&O Containers, P&O Nedlloyd and perhaps then with Maersk Line, but his career also included time with  Seago Line and Agility Chemical Logistics.   Despite the work changes over the years, Brian stayed in contact with many of his former colleagues and we were really pleased to so see that he attended the gathering in Liverpool organised by SCARA back in May. 

From the flood of comments that have appeared under the Facebook post that announced Brian's passing, it is clear that he was much liked and respected by friends and former colleagues.  Two of the people that worked closely with Brian over many years at P&O Containers. P&O Nedlloyd and Maersk have kindly provided the following tributes for us here:

"I worked with Brian for a number of years, and he was a consummate professional in his business applications and possessed a warm and welcoming demeanor in all his undertakings.  Outside of work he was a passionate Liverpool FC supporter and a long-term season ticket holder at Anfield.  Brian loved a decent glass of red wine and was always ready, willing and able to pull together and present excellent quiz nights for both staff and clients.  He was also well known for compiling amusing odes for any occasion!

The old team has continued to meet up on a regular basis, and Brian has been a stalwart at these gatherings.   I am sure that we will continue to meet, but Brian's absence will leave a void that is unlikely to ever be filled.  

"I write this filled with sadness and with a very heavy heart.  Brian was a valued colleague and a more valued friend.  A decent man who loved his family and was loved by them in return.  I am proud to have been his friend.

Steve has covered all the bits about Brian's professionalism, sense of fair play and humour.  It was his ready sarcasm and quick wit that tickled me.  I spent hours on the road with Brian over the years and was the butt of both all too often.  Playful banter which I'll always miss. His humour was with him until the end   He owned a motorcycle style jacket which I coveted.  I tried to swap coats with him, buy it off him and in the end kept demanding that he give it to me.  He continually refused.  I was in conversation with him the  day before things turned bad and he had messaged me to say he had to go onto hospital.  When he messaged me to say he was being admitted and was very concerned, I responded "Do I get the coat now?"  His instant response was "I've told Allison that I would sooner be buried in it than let you have it".  Typical of him!  I spoke with Allison to arrange to visit the next day and could hear him in the background   "Tell him that visiting me bunches of grapes won't get him the coat!" 

Next day before I could ring to fix a time with Allison, she called me to say that he had passed away painlessly and peacefully with his family.  When it's my time I'd like to go the same way.

As I said earlier, a kind and decent man who will be missed by all who knew him. In particular his many PONL colleagues in the UK and around the world, and especially those of us who worked and socialised with him in the Liverpool salesforce."

Our deepest condolences go to Brian's family.  He will be much missed.

05/08/2024