The former woodwork teacher would have been proud that his two grown-up sons had inherited some of his good old-fashioned values.

And delighted too that they finally recognised that caravanning holidays were almost as important in life as love, faith in God and hope.

But the chances were, he would have been too busy to listen for long.

"I can see him now," his son John told mourners at Knutsford Parish Church last week. "Renovating the Pearly Gates in African mahogany."

John Carter, 56, and his brother Tony led the tributes during a 35-minute service of thanksgiving in celebration of their father's life on Thursday afternoon.

The former Knutsford High School teacher was, said Tony, a caring, considerate, committed Christian and skilled craftsman with a penchant for red wine and a 'nice piece of mature cheddar'.

"He respected people and got their respect," he said. "He was interested in everything and an inspiration to many."

Among the 100 mourners in church were teachers from Knutsford High, where Mr Carter taught for many years.

He had a strong faith which served him well even when cancer began to take its toll on his health in November.

When the end came, he was not afraid. The 85-year-old died peacefully in his sleep in hospital with the family he loved so much by his bedside.

At last week's service, Mr Carter's widow, Mona, listened as the Rev Nigel Atkinson recalled how her husband of 61 years would often sit in his congregation, nodding his head. "I think he was nodding in agreement," said Mr Atkinson. "Not nodding off to sleep."

The couple, who lived in St John's Road, Knutsford, had arranged the service together in the final months of his life.

His favourite hymn, To Be A Pilgrim, was sung in church alongside his wife's, How Great Thou Art!.

"It was the first time my mum had been back to church since November when my dad was too ill to attend," said John after the service and private cremation at Altrincham Crematorium.