Tributes have been paid to Richard Larkin, an Altrincham architect and devoted father who “lived every moment to the full”.
Richard, 54, died following a tragic accident while swimming on a holiday on the Greek island of Kalymnos with his partner Fiona Barwell and friends on September 6.
Ahead of his funeral tomorrow, his family and colleagues have remembered his humour, talent and enthusiasm for life.
“He lived life to the full,” Fiona told Altrincham Today. “As one of his friends said, he didn’t even just live every day to the full. He lived every moment to the full.
“He had a real gift for making people laugh. He was a great storyteller. Loved the banter, loved the gossip.”
Originally from Sale, Richard ran The Design Room on Kingsway in Altrincham and was a familiar face around the town.
Above all, Fiona wanted him remembered as a loving father to his daughter Arlette, 24, and son Ollie, 21.
“He was a really loving dad, totally devoted to his two children,” she said.
Richard and Fiona had been together for three years, sharing a home in Hale after meeting in Costa Coffee in the village. Together with Fiona’s two children, they had formed what she described as “a lovely blended family”.
A sociable couple, they enjoyed spontaneous adventures and regularly headed into Altrincham for coffee, brunch or an evening out. The Con Club was Richard’s favourite.
His friendships were another enduring part of his life, with some stretching back to childhood.
Richard also enjoyed playing five-a-side and Sunday league football, loved padel and supported Manchester United.
Karen Jones, of The Design Room, paid tribute to a colleague who had been a significant part of her working life for more than 11 years.
“Richard and I worked side by side, later with a small team, creating many high quality homes for our clients and always striving to provide the best service we could,” she said.
“He was always happy, optimistic and enthusiastic, with a wonderful sense of humour and a never ending love of teasing us.
“He was kind, sincere and exceptionally talented and was really liked by everyone who knew him. His absence will leave a huge hole in our lives and he will be greatly missed.”
Ewen Miller, of Calderpeel Architects, said colleagues were “utterly devastated” by the news.
“He was an unmistakable figure around Altrincham. He will be a great loss to the architectural profession and to the town,” he said.
“He was an incredible man and it is a tragedy that he’s gone so young. My sincere condolences and thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at The Design Room.”
For Fiona and Richard’s family, the sudden loss remains difficult to comprehend.
“It’s the shock of someone so full of life just being taken away from you,” she said.
Richard’s funeral will take place at All Saints Roman Catholic Church on Carrington Lane, Sale, at 2pm on Wednesday October 7.
A celebration of his life will follow at The Con Club in Altrincham from 3pm. Everyone who knew and loved him is invited to share memories.
Reflecting Richard’s love of clothes, guests are encouraged to come “looking sharp”.
Donations in Richard's name can be made to the National Kidney Federation or Alty FC Foundation through his tribute page.
