Making dad proud
Reporter: by KEN BENNETT
Date published: 01 September 2009
Inner torment of wedding couple
The blissful smiles of an Oldham couple tying the knot at their Spanish beach wedding hide a tragic loss.
The groom’s father, who should have been a key guest at the celebration, had been murdered.
When Phillip Smith (34) and his bride Justine Millis met with his father, James, for a drink in Oldham town centre two years ago, it would be the last time the couple would see the 62-year-old alive.
James (pictured) was robbed and killed by two men out on a crime spree. His body wasn’t found for another 17 days.
But the couple, from Derker, heeded Mr Smith’s advice before his untimely death when more than 30 family and friends celebrated their nuptials at their new home in Spain.
Returning to Oldham for a brief visit after the ceremony, Phillip, who has two children, said: “The wedding was very emotional because we recalled my dad’s last conversation before he died.
“Justine and I were both at a crossroads work-wise, but dad told us it was really important to get with our lives as we only had one life to live — he said we should enjoy ourselves.
“I will never forget his words,” said Phillip. “In fact, dad was mentioned fondly by everyone who made a speech at our wedding — so his memory will always be with us. I know he would be very proud of us.”
Shortly after his death, the couple both decided on career changes.
Phillip quit his job in the motor industry and Justine left Oldham Council’s IT department.
Justine (36) said: “We had a property in Spain and Phillip’s dad advised us to keep it on.
“He said he would help with the mortgage payments if we were ever struggling.”
In November, last year, after receiving money from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, they decided to quit England and start a new life in Spain.
“We had no jobs,” said Phillip, “but we both believed in what my dad had said — and it’s turned out to be the best move we’ve made.”
Phillip landed a job with a catering company and has already been promoted to managerial level. His wife works for an international spread-betting organisation.
“We could not have moved at a worse time,” Justine recalls.
“The pound had fallen to a new low against the euro and the credit crunch was really biting. Things looked bleak.
“Many people said they didn’t think it would work out.
“But we love each other and both work very hard – and now I doubt we’ll ever return to live in Britain.
“We have some marvellous friends in Spain and life looks really good.”
Although some family members were present, Phillip’s children, Joshua and Jordane, and Justine’s elderly parents, could not be at the wedding but the couple are hoping to have their marriage blessed in the UK next year.
“It will be a chance to bring all our family together and help forget that terrible night in Oldham when dad was killed,” added Phillip.
l Adrian Hutchinson, of Byland Avenue, Holts, and Keith Buckley, of Goodwin Court, Chadderton, are serving minimum terms of 28 years and 26 years respectively for Mr Smith’s murder.
