Dad

Somehow, I managed to read this eulogy. All of it, at my Dad's funeral service today. I'll never be sure quite how I managed it, but I'm very glad I did. Today was a sad occasion, very well done and very well attended. Thank you to all of you who cared to share it with us.

Celebrating the Life of Dad

Dad was born in October 1938 in Uxbridge, Middlesex. Were it not for the fact that his father was in the Navy when the rest of his family emigrated, we could have been Australian! Dad's early years were dominated by the war. He was young, but nevertheless recalled tales of doodlebugs, spitfires and the front door being blown off its hinges whilst sheltering in the cupboard under the stairs.

His adult life began in the Army, completing his national service in Nicosia, Cyprus. His civilian working life started with the Royal Mail. He passed his driving test in just a week. Spent a long day waiting in vain for the Great Train Robbers train to arrive and shared his duties with the pop group 'Unit 4+2' of Concrete and Clay fame.

Dad met Mum in 1964 and they married in '66. They decided a new life in Lawford, would give them the future they were looking for and a year later, moved into a new house on the Leftley's estate at 19 Cavendish Drive. The house was bought after having secured a job paying a mighty £16 per week at Alston's furniture factory in Ipswich.

In 1970, Dad changed career direction to plumbing and started work at the Tendring Hundred Water Works Company. He passed his City and Guilds qualifications and eventually rose to the rank of Inspector. He became a member of the Ipswich branch of the Institute of Plumbing and I remember well his 1980s tie with IP on the front!

In 1971, the twins were born and for us it was the beginning of many happy years with him. He worked a full time job and on top of that, worked evenings and some weekends with his own company to earn extra money. When made redundant in 1986, he worked in Egypt for three months, before reinvigorating his own company on a full-time basis for a number of years.

By the time Jo and I had left home, he decided to cease trading, go full circle and rejoin the Royal Mail until he retired.

As a family man, he loved his kids and was rarely far away from us, both when young, supporting us in all sorts of ways as well as dropping in for a coffee once we had nests of our own that we'd flown to. He loved his 4 grandchildren, William, Imogen, Matthew and Chloe, but sadly had become unable to enjoy them latterly.

He was the most practical man I know, a great ideas man, never happier than when dreaming up the next big idea and putting it into practice in his workshop. He organised and carried out all sorts of repairs and renovations on our houses plus those of friends and acquaintances.

In his spare time, he was a helper in the Scouts, assisting with meetings and camps, and rose to the rank of district commissioner. All this stood him in good stead for the Jolly Boys camping and walking group, of which he was a founding member. He was a member of the Wednesday team at the Thorrington Scout Camp, building and maintaining its facilities. He was also a member of the Colchester Model Railway Club, and became chairman, for a few years.

He had the worlds worst and best sense of humour and his most favourite jokes wouldn't be stashed away for long before putting in a repeat appearance. I'd give anything to hear those awful jokes one more time, but they will remain, as with all our thoughts of Dad, just happy memories.