ALL his working life, lifts were Steve Carpenter’s work, from his four-and-a-half year apprenticeship from school to running Dolphin Stairlifts in Crediton.  

This much loved husband, father, grandfather and brother and good friend died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on October 19 at the age of 68 after a short illness.

His funeral service was held on November 17 at Crediton Parish Church, followed by private cremation. 

Born within the sound of Bow Bells in East London, Steve had an older brother who now lives in Crete and a sister who lives in Winkleigh.  Steve had been a Cub then a Scout and sang in his church choir. 

Leaving school as soon as he could at the age of 15, Steve began an apprenticeship with lift engineering company Maryatt and Scott in Canning Town, ending on his 20th birthday.  

It was when he was installing a lift that Steve met young Sandra.  They were married at South Ockendon in Essex in 1975 and had three children - Marie, Natalie and Perry. 

Steve’s job meant the family moving around a fair bit, but they wanted to live in the countryside near the coast and so moved to Wool in Dorset.  

In 1987 Steve was promoted to branch manager and later to Regional Manager for Hammond and Champness based in Crediton.   The family moved to Bow where they lived happily for 14 years again, making many friends.  

Steve found the massive amount of travelling involved with his job challenging, being so much a man who so loved his family and wanting to be with them, so when the chance came to buy a franchise supplying stairlifts in Devon and Cornwall, Steve jumped at the chance. 

He set up Dolphin Stairlifts from their home in Bow, with Sandra, Natalie and Perry all working together.  Needing a bigger property, they moved to Coldridge.

The business grew slowly, steadily and organically and now employs 18 local people, including some of the family and has an excellent reputation. 

Proud of the business, Steve and Sandra also found time to enjoy life, to take trips mainly to Europe including a magical Christmas family trip to Lapland as well as around this country. 

While his children were growing up Steve would drive his daughters for nights out or his son and friends to various football matches as well as a time when he managed Twyford Under 15s and trained as a football referee.  He was also very involved in forming Bow Eagles football team.  

Steve’s family thank everyone for their support.  Donations in his memory were divided between Force cancer charity and Exeter Stroke Unit, Clyst Ward Charitable Fund.

Cheques payable to either charity may be send to: S J Carne, Funeral Director, Summerhayes, Ingleigh Green, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8AT.