“Greatly reduced the public stock of harmless pleasure”

Dear Roger: I stole from him, laughed with him – and nearly caught pneumonia because so many people loved him

When  Garrick the great actor died Dr. Johnson said  his death “eclipsed the joy of nations and greatly reduced the public stock of harmless pleasure.”

I cannot say the marketing business is awash with harmless pleasure; half-truths and jargon are nearer the mark – but every now and then someone pops up who is a joy to know.

I spent most of last Wednesday going to Kingston outside London to say goodbye to one: Roger Millington. Last Great Western’s website gave the wrong train times – so I arrived 15 minutes late.

The Chapel was packed out, so I joined about thirty others outside in the bitter cold. I suspect only the application of some good Chilean red afterwards before I came back to Bristol saved my life.

Roger and I had a few things in common: both born in Liverpool, both writers of a sort – even worked in the same places. We did joint seminars in the late seventies, and I stole stuff from him that I’ve used ever since.

He had a good story about a presentation he did at an agency called Erwin Wasey. The client made ladies’ underwear. Just as Roger was getting into his swing one executive queried his figures. Roger reassured him and carried on.

The client questioned him again. “Are you sure?” Roger was sure. But the client became increasingly agitated, finally saying “I just cannot believe those figures represent what’s happening in the tyre industry. ”

The client was Firestone. Roger was in the wrong conference room. He left and didn’t come back. I think we kept the business (I was briefly a creative director at Wasey’s).

Roger was a class act. I fear I will never have the courage – and sense of humour – he displayed when in great pain towards the end.

He said to a friend “Why me? …I haven’t done anything that dreadful have I?…Maybe split the odd infinitive…’

I think that is as witty as Oscar Wilde’s last words – “Either this wallpaper goes or I do” – but more poignant.

Roger was finishing a book about Jack the Ripper before he died. I bet it does well.

A good man; there are never enough.