THE son of late comic Sir Norman Wisdom has paid a heartfelt tribute to his father describing himself as "The Family Man".
Nick Wisdom led the tributes to his father in a moving funeral service at St George's Church, Douglas, this afternoon.
Nick told the congregation: "He was a very caring and loving father and we knew he was always loved by the public. He was a unique person. He always said he was a lucky little devil."
Sir Norman's son recounted tales of life with his famous father describing his and his sister's upbringing to a captive audience.
He said: "It was a very unusual life living with my father and in the 1950s and 60s in particular it was a truly great experience during his golden years.
"We spent lots of time with him at Pinewood Studios and he even persuaded the director of one of his films to include myself and my sister as extras."
Nick also described Sir Norman's success in the theatre and said: "(My father) appearing on Broadway was a very proud moment for us all. Norman sang and danced his heart out on the stage and his appearances on Broadway were undoubtedly his best moments in show business."
Nick described his father as having "great energy and enthusiasm" and said that he was able to get "the very best out of every moment".
He explained: "He was also a genius at getting the best out of a moment. In 1966 on the day when England were in the World Cup Final he came into the room and told me I wouldn't be allowed to watch the game on television because I had recently spent far too much time watching the telly and this would be my punishment.
"But then he said: ‘You're not going to watch the final on television - we're going to Wembley to see the match itself'.
"In the space of seconds he had brought out two of my deepest emotions - he was able to get the very best out of every moment."
Closing his tribute Nick managed to spark laughter from mourners describing one of his father's final wishes.
He said: "My father was asked many times in his latter years what he would like to have on his gravestone and he always said – 'Phew he was old'."
Norman Wisdom died on October 4 at Abbotswood Nursing Home in Ballasalla. He was 95.
Reports and photographs by isleofman.com news team - Tessa Hawley, Bill Dale and John Gregory.
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