A tribute to my friend Paul Greer

It's with great deal of sadness and considerable disbelief that I write this article in memory to my good friend, Paul Greer who after a long and gruelling battle against Myelodysplastic Syndrome, passed away peacefully yesterday, 5th January 2022.

I've known Paul since I started at my first design job at The Chase in Manchester in 1997. I was introduced to Paul through my mate Greg Allen who started working with Paul at another Manchester design agency called Coleman's, just around the corner from The Chase in Blackfriars where we used to meet up at lunch and after work for a drink.

Over the years and as we all moved to different companies, we kept in touch and were always interested in following each other's careers. In 2000, Paul moved to the prestigious advertising agency, BDH, based in Didsbury, where he worked in the design department until 2007.

Paul really enjoyed his time at BDH, working with some massive clients and creating award winning work but always harboured a desire to branch out and like many designers, the world of freelance beckoned alongside the chance to work on his own projects and clients proved too irresistible.

He was a fantastic designer who loved thinking of ideas. Full of enthusiasm, endlessly curious, always interested and always interesting. Paul placed great emphasis on his craft and would always spend hours and hours shaping ideas, researching, poring over paper stocks and deliberating over layouts. In short, he cared deeply about his vocation.

He freelanced at many creative agencies in Manchester, in particular WRG, with whom he built up a special relationship with. He'll be sadly missed by those who had the pleasure to work with him.

In 2010, Paul and his partner Nicola, welcomed their daughter Isla into the world. A devoted Dad, Paul worshipped Isla and as she grew up he loved nothing more than to spend time cycling, enjoying countless holidays (we nicknamed him Judith Charmers), swimming and playing tennis with her. He was so proud of his daughter.

2015 brought about a big adventure for Paul and his brother, Tony, when they decided to buy an old VW Scirocco and drive to the most Northern point in Europe at the tip of Norway to raise money for the Anthony Nolan charity, who make lifesaving connections between patients in need and incredible strangers ready to donate their stem cells. A procedure that Paul himself was later to undertake. Paul and Tony raised a considerable sum and enjoyed the experience of a lifetime. Typical Paul, understated, selfless and always striving to do something positive.

During the same period, I had my own design studio, based in Ancoats. When not freelancing, Paul worked from home but was looking for some flexible desk space so I didn't hesitate in offering him a place to work on his own projects. I loved spending that time with him, alongside my team, Graham, Jamie and Sue, plus other friends Adam and Ben who rented desk space. Together we had some real highs and few lows, but I'll cherish that time forever.

Paul did some great work, and it was fascinating to see how he went about creating his wonderful designs, here are a few of my favourite examples...

You can see more of Paul's work at his website https://movecreative.studio/work

My son and Isla are the same age, so myself, Greg and our friend Beechy bonded even more over our kids. Spending many happy weekends camping, fishing and most memorably going to the Eroica bike festival in the Peak District in 2018. Paul was in his element – BMX mad, he proudly displayed the Raleigh Burner he'd had since being a kid which he'd lovingly restored. Some of my happiest ever memories.

Later in 2018, Paul, Greg, Beechy and I swapped BMX's for road bikes, taking part in the Manchester to Blackpool midnight bike ride. It was freezing! 2 punctures and a gruelling 50+ miles later we made it. I don't think any of us realised just how tough this was for Paul, but he showed incredible grit and determination to complete it. A proud moment.

After a move of jobs I decided to finish my role as Visiting Lecturer at Staffordshire University. Course Leader and good friend John Hudson asked if I knew anyone, in an instant I thought of Paul. He had bags of experience, a love of design and a calm, helpful and patient nature – all great assets for a lecturer. And sure enough, he got the gig. Due to his health declining, he sadly only got to do this for a year, but we had many conversations and I know it was an experience he thoroughly enjoyed and felt privileged to undertake.

I enjoyed countless great nights out with Paul, particularly at gigs, with our shared love of music. Highlights included drunkenly bumping into Jimi Goodwin from Doves after he played at the Johnny Marr gig at the Albert Hall. Going to see David Byrne at the Arena and getting into the DJ booth with the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham and the Inspiral Carpets' Clint Boon (drunk again of course!). I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss those nights, inevitably ending with Paul slumped, head first into his kebab in Hunters in the Northern Quarter!

I could write so much more about Paul, but hopefully you get the gist. The above is the last picture we had taken with Beechy, Greg, Paul and myself at Paul at his daughter's joint birthday party in late September 2021 on a glorious day in Lytham. He was celebrating his 50th and Isla's 11th birthday, a birthday they both share.

Unfortunately, a couple of days after, Paul received bad news on his treatment and his health deteriorated rapidly from there. Far, far sooner than anyone had ever imagined. And although this is incredibly sad for everyone, especially his Mum, Nicola, Isla and brother Tony, thinking of Paul always makes me happy and brings me joy and I'm sure those memories will only grow stronger with the passing of time.

Paul's loss has illustrated to me just how important family, friends, colleagues and loved ones are and how precious our time is with them. To value every second, drink it in and enjoy everything.

I hope in the near future, alongside Greg and Beechy, and with his family's blessing, we can in some way honour Paul's memory and perhaps raise some money for The Christie who looked after Paul and the Anthony Nolan Charity whom Paul himself raised money for.

He was a great guy and didn't deserve to go this way and definitely not so soon. He'll be missed by so many people.

So sad, so desperately sad. All the best mate, you'll forever be in my heart and thoughts.