Tributes paid to Nic Crow by friends and family

Born on March 12 1961, Nic Crow was very well-known and popular figure at several prominent businesses including Kirkby Lonsdale’s Plato’s and Yealand’s New Inn.

He held the position of restaurant manager at Plato’s and was the Duty/ Wedding manager at the Inn on the Lake in Glenridding where he achieved great popularity amongd staff and customers alike.

His sister Jacky Pankhurst said he was a 'loving father of five' to Nicky and Danny (who Nic brought up us a single parent), twins Rachel and Rebecca and his youngest daughter Robyn.

Nic enjoyed a very happy childhood in the North East and was proud of his Geordie roots.

Jacky described him as 'full of fun, kind and caring, bringing laughter – and spontaneous song - to all around him'.

"As a man he loved music, he loved people - they were a huge part of his life," she said.

“As bad as the pandemic and lockdown was for us all it gave Nic more time with his family and the chance to spend a lot of time with nature and walking in the fells with his beloved four-legged ‘girls’ – the Robinson family’s Springer Spaniels’.

“We’ve been so proud to see all the wonderful tributes to Nic from near and far and it’s been lovely to see how many lives he has touched, both locally and from all over the world, from those who met him on their travels.”

“After almost accidentally joining the RAF where he served for 18 years, Nic followed his heart to the Lakes where he fell into hospitality via Gary Wilson at the Inn on the Lake into a role that suited him perfectly.”

Nic’s son Danny spoke warmly of his father and the upbringing he provided him and his brother.

He said: “I remember how he brought me and my brother up. He worked two jobs at times and was always there for us.

“He was an exceptional father to me and my brother. It’s never easy for single fathers.

One person said he was the life and soul of every party. He had the ability to make people feel comfortable. It was a gift he had.

“He served 18 years of the RAF before moving to Huntingdon where we grew up.

“Everyone loved him everywhere he went and I’ll hold onto the memories of us together forever.”

His daughter Robyn described him as her ‘mad, weird and wonderful’ dad.

She said: “It’s been so lovely seeing all the tributes about him.

“My dad always made an impression on everybody he met. He was a lovely man who wanted to make people smile.

“He was a real character. My mad, weird, and wonderful dad.

“We enjoyed lots of walks together, he always liked a pint and having a laugh.

“I love and miss my mad dad.”

During his time at the Inn on the Lake he worked with manager Gary Wilson who praised Nic for his years of service to the business.

He said: “I first met him when he came into the reception and asked for a job. It was a Saturday.

“Nic told me he had come from the city and he wanted to work in the lakes, didn’t fancy an office job. I asked, ‘have you ever worked in a hotel, a bar, a restaurant or anything like that’. He said, no. I really liked him and asked when can you start?

“I’ve been working here for about 21 years, and he was here for around 15 years.

“He worked his way up to bar manager, and then wedding duty manager, and he was incredibly good at it.

“He took to the whole job like a duck to water.

“Even after he left, we still kept in touch. Even when he told me about his illness, he said he wouldn’t lay down to it. He would fight it.

“It was a shock and I’ll really miss him.”

Nic’s colleague Tasha Wharton at Plato’s bar described him as a funny man and great employee.

She said: “I knew him for a couple of years where he was the restaurant manager.

“It was also a good laugh with him. He was lovely.

“He was a great guy and we all miss him so much.”

Andy Nicholson, former manager of the Linthwaite House, worked with Nic for several years and remembered him fondly.

He said: "Nic worked with us for a few years in 2013 and he did us proud. When times were hard, he came and worked for us.

“We always kept in touch with him, always shared a bit of banter. He was a very bright guy.

“It was a real shock when he passed, we will miss him a lot.

“I’m going to be sad. I miss the chap and he always had a smile on his face.

“He loved the countryside and the landscapes.

“Even after he left customers would still ask after him.”

Nic's funeral and celebration of life will take place at Beetham Crematorium on Monday at 11am.

Donations, if desired, can be made in Nic's memory to Macmillan Cancer Support via fishwicksltd.co.uk/

For those who are unable to attend the funeral but wish to pay their respects to a much-loved man the hearse will be leaving Plato’s at 10.30am.