Frank Browne would have been so touched to see you all here, and out there, with the outpouring of love we have witnessed. In these surreal times we are living, thank you Jeremy and Frank’s family for this wonderful opportunity to say a united goodbye to Frank, our kind, clever, fascinating … and slightly enigmatic friend.
 
I am Sara from Henley, one of Frank’s last batch of friends. You all know Frank from different times and situations in his life, but I feel sure that we all agree that Frank was a hugely talented man who achieved so much for the good of others. It would be a Rock and Roll cliché to say that he lived fast and died young, but he surely did. That he died young, too young, is undeniably true. But with Frank, the word “fast” must best be seen as his sticking fast to his visions and the determination to realise them through his many lifelong health challenges, to one of which he finally succumbed.
 
Once when Frank and I were having a one of those ‘why are we here, what is it all about’ conversations, Frank said, he was a frustrated little boy and then a young man because of ill-health. His ill-health, however, also made him realise that life is too short to be wasted. And with that understanding, he made a decision never to be a victim of ill health, …but to focus on what he wanted to achieve from life. I think that blend of feelings - exasperation and enlightening realization - bought about the profound Frank Browne personality we all admire.
 
There is no doubt he knew that death was not far away since he suffered a massive stroke partially paralyzing the right side of his body when he was just forty-one-years-old. He prepared in his own way … to focus on his vision for a better society. And nothing else! Well, except for getting to know his parents, Cheeky and Roger better, as an adult. Before Cheeky, died of cancer at the beginning of this year, Frank told me that he was keen to best ensure his parents were well and taken care of. They were so important to him. Roger, you must be immensely proud.
 
Frank has long actively supported the Sue Ryder charity, which provides end of life care. He knew what it was like to suffer, having long fought with several life-threatening diseases. Although his love of good food often trumped his consideration of his diabetes, the disease he finally succumbed to. Maybe we can take some comfort in knowing that having endured so much, Frank died a quick death from a heart attack.
 
Some have thought Frank stubborn. Perhaps, in terms of his political beliefs – he considered himself a Radical Conservative. But possibly “focussed” is closer than “stubborn”. Some have thought him a lonely person, but he was content in his own company when that suited him. And why not? What a fabulous company Frank was! But there were always friends around when he wanted their company. And otherwise he also thoroughly enjoyed the company of the political philosophers from the past he found in his eclectic collection of books.
 
We all have ever so infuriatingly experienced Frank dropping off the radar sometimes for weeks or more at a time, ignoring increasingly worried signals to him. In part this was his private life, hounded by ill-health, Frank did not want others to be distracted by his ill-health – he wanted to be seen for his vision.
 
Friends from his time at university and early career have reminisced on how he commanded authority from a remarkably young age and how he was a natural leader. Political colleagues recall that he was calm and thoughtful, communicating with poise and eloquence – no melodrama.  An early achievement was becoming the youngest ever Council Leader in the country at the age of thirty-two.
 
He wanted – and deserved – such a Council position because he genuinely put others before himself and cared deeply for communities. Always the true public servant, one who saw his duty as serving the community and finding solutions, not just turning up for photo opportunities.

Frank meant a great deal to so many communities he has served. I understand that the Wokingham community that he served the longest is contemplating naming a street or building after Frank Browne. I am certain this would have made Frank very proud – it would make us all very proud.
 
What I have said so far might present the picture of a rather earnest, single-minded young man, but there was also a wonderfully humorous, even mischievous, side to Frank. And a dry wit. He sang in various cartoon voices and I am not the only one to have likened his wonderfully wicked laugh to that of the cartoon dog Muttley. Oh! and he loved dogs - all of them. And they seemed to be crazy about him too. The one and only thing that distracted Frank Browne from his magnificent political vision was, dogs. And he also loved all aspects of the river, swimming, fishing – simply messing about in boats. Frank was one of the few to punt down the Thames at Henley – a rare sight.
 
Frank Browne, we will miss your charm, your strength, your sparkling eyes, your modesty, your energy, your wicked laugh. You achieved so much in so little time. You have given us so much to remember, not least a loyal friend, a loving son and a remarkable role model.

Farewell, my friend.