Comment: A legacy that means so much
But for him the last resting place of generations of Bristolians may well have been lost forever.
It was Richard Smith who led the campaign to save Arnos Vale and who never lost hope that it would succeed.
He led it with passion and belief and he steered it with sheer hard work.
And for more than 20 years it dominated his life.
There were dark times such as the day the cemetery's then owner, Tony Towner, suggested relatives have their dead exhumed and moved elsewhere.
And there was the day Mr Towner locked the gates of Arnos Vale to keep people out.
But there were also days of triumph.
The day when the cemetery was compulsorily purchased by the city council to save it for the future.
The day when the National Lottery agreed to give £5 million to help restore its historic buildings.
And the day when Richard was awarded an MBE for his work for Arnos Vale.
The simple truth is that without his devotion and leadership, that cemetery, where about 250,000 Bristolians lie buried, would have been lost.
Richard did it all with a quiet determination and a smile.
He was a gentleman who loved Bristol, its people and its history.
Yet he was always the first to deflect credit when it came his way, the first to point out the work of his wife, Joyce, and all the other supporters of Arnos Vale.
But the Arnos Vale Army, as they became known, needed to be led and he was their general.
The campaign they fought won support from people literally throughout the world.
Today work still continues on renovating the buildings of Arnos Vale and it will continue for years to come.
But it can do so in the knowledge that the cemetery can never be threatened. Its future is safe.
That is Richard's legacy.
And it is surely one of the greatest that any Bristolian of modern times has given to their city.
In time there will need to be some permanent memorial to Richard at Arnos Vale.
For now, though, these simple but heartfelt words will have to suffice – Richard, thank you from us all.
Comment on this story