ARTICLE UPDATED TO INCLUDE FUNERAL INFORMATION

Tributes have been paid to a University of Nottingham colleague and friend, Alan “Hazzo” Hazzledine, who passed away at the end of May.

Descriptions of Alan include “a much-liked colleague, footballer, carer, friend and valued member of the University’s Security team”.

Alan’s funeral will take place at Bramcote Crematorium at 2pm on Thursday 15 June, followed by a reception at The Star Inn, Beeston. The family have asked for no flowers, and that mourners wear red, or Nottingham Forest shirts. 

Steve Howdle, Professor of Chemistry at Nottingham, said:

“Really sad news: Hazzo died in a road traffic accident — riding his motorbike — I’m sure it was the way he would have liked to have gone. But he leaves behind a great gaping hole! Not only for his wife Lynn (Lynn Brown works in our Library Services) and family, his first wife Bev and their daughters and grandkids, but also for a very wide range of people across East Midlands, football, and at our University.

“Hazzo was a member of our security staff — he worked “in-cognito” not always in uniform but was vital to our campus safety. But how did I know him? Well in 1989 I was just finishing my PhD in chemistry at Nottingham and I rocked up at a training session for the Beeston Old Boys looking to join a good local football team. Hazzo and Paul Lambert came straight over to me welcomed me warmly to the club, but they also set me the challenge of impressing them and getting into their team. I did, and 28 years later I’m still playing with the team — though now we are all in the Veterans.

“But Hazzo had many talents — at the time he ran an impressive engineering firm making bespoke mechanical components and in a unique collision of our worlds, I ended up contracting his company to make some high pressure widgets to help me out with a new direction in my research — it was a spectacular success and my colleagues in the workshop in Chemistry loved him too.

“Hazzo then had a change of heart — he left his company and became a full time carer for the disabled and terminally ill — this was inspired by another mate of his who had unfortunately become very ill. I wrote a reference to the care home and I helped him get the job — and very kindly, they wrote back to me a few months later to thank me for ensuring that they employed a real gem!

“Some years later Hazzo decided he wanted a new career and joined our campus security team. I saw him on a regular basis and I know he loved that job — it also gave me a great chance to meet him regularly around campus and with always a warm handshake and a cheery “Ey-up”.

“So what about the football? Well Hazzo always pushed me — as a captain on the pitch he made me a better player. “Steve, just stand in the middle and be big” was one of his memorable tactical pep talks! He also set me a target: “I’ll be 40 this year – reckon you’ll still be playing?”. I took the challenge and I was. Then “I’ll be 50 this year…” … and I did (both of us were now in the Beeston Old Boys Veterans FC). Finally this year, we played just after his 59^th birthday and he told me he’d be back next season — even if he just played one game — just to play when he was 60 — and he laid me down a challenge… Will I live up to it? I hope so — I certainly owe him to try!

“I’ll miss you my good friend — RIP Hazzo.”

Stuart Croy, Deputy Head of Security, said:

“Alan was one of those people who people are drawn to and already many people have been in touch saying how upset and sorry they are to hear the news and that Alan was such a lovely, happy, friendly gentleman.

“He was a work colleague and to many of us a close friend. I shared many interests with Alan and enjoyed his company both at work and out of work. I will remember with great affection the fun and laughter he brought to me and to others. I will miss his friendship, advice, support and the professionalism with which he approached his job as I am sure many of you will also do.

“I am sure that Alan will be in all of our thoughts and prayers in the days and weeks to come. It is important that we remember that Alan lived life and enjoyed it. If he were still here he would be saying enjoy yourself and love your family which is how he approached life.

“If you would like to chat about Alan, please remember that we have the Counselling service as well as the Chaplaincy. They have both been made aware of Alan’s passing as many staff both within Security and the wider University community have been affected by his passing: If you wish to talk to them please contact them directly.”