Dad

Our Dad was a true family man.

He was so proud of his large family, his children, his grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He took such pleasure in his last weeks and months from spending precious time with us all.

Long before Dad was a father, he was a fantastic son to Emily and Jack, his wonderful Mum and Dad, our Nan and Pop Pop. A wonderful Son who would do anything for his parents, and a doting and protective brother to his younger sister, in particular when the two of them were evacuated during the War. Unfortunately they were not treated well and at the age of only 8, Dad had to take control of his and his sister's ration books because his little sister was not getting enough to eat. They were both very pleased to return home to London and their loving parents, despite the threat from German bombs.

Dad was extremely gifted academically, particularly in mathematics, and as a result he won a scholarship to A leading college. Sadly the need to work curtailed his academic career; indeed his exceptional work ethic was a feature of his life. Throughout Dad's life, and together with our Mum, they both had the greatest belief in the importance of hard work and its ability to strengthen character and ensure the stability of family life.
To provide for their ever growing family, they worked day and night, holding multiple jobs at once. He and Mum worked tirelessly to make sure that we all had everything that we needed in life. They have both been a shining example to each of us.

At the age of 18 Dad joined the British Army to carry out his National service. During this time he was posted to Suez, in Egypt.
No one who knew Dad will ever forget his wonderful stories of his time in the army, in the deserts of Egypt and his visit to Mount Sinai, which certainly had a profound impact on his outlook to life. Stories we will pass on to our children and Grandchildren.

When Dad returned home he resumed his apprenticeship in Printing. He loved his work and eventually rose to the level of master printer.

It was around this time he met and fell in love with Joan, our Mum. Mum was the younger sister of Lenny, his best friend, who had tragically died at the age of 17 in a bicycle accident.
As he often recalled, Dad was gazing out of the window, and spotted Mum and Nanny walking down the road together. His thoughts at the time were "I'm going to marry that Joany!" His moment was soon to arrive.

As Mum recalls, they met at a dance that was held every month at the local swimming baths.
Dad asked Mum if she would have the next dance with him and she accepted at once! She recognised him as the friend of her beloved late brother Lenny; she also thought that he was extremely handsome and charming! He took her home in his Ford Prefect car and kissed her good night. It was that night she knew she had fallen for him and he felt the same.

The rest, as they say, is history. They married soon after in June. They were quite the stunning couple! Shortly after, the first of six of us was on the way!

Dad was a very keen photographer, and constantly photographed his children, family and of course his beautiful wife. These photos survive in abundance, and it brings many happy memories being able to look back through his photographic record of our family over the years.

In addition to these skills, later Dad also made successful efforts to decipher the new technology that was the home video camera, and as a result we have footage spanning back to the mid 80s, that we will treasure forever.
Anyone who knew Dad well will have known of his love of technology. From the earliest age his family always strived to acquire the latest technological advancement- from having the first car in the street, to then being the first with a television. This trend continued right the way through Dad's life; he was always up to date with the latest developments and keen to investigate and try the newest electronic devices.

In fact, at times it was simply impossible to prise him away from a particularly tricky game of iPad solitaire...! He was also a rather dab hand on iPad snooker!
Dad kept his mind sharp too with his fantastic ability at crosswords, whistling through the nation's newspapers most difficult puzzles at an impressive pace each morning.


People loved our Dad when they met him. A well read and well informed man, he was able to chat with just about anyone, about any subject.
The high regard and outpouring of affection communicated by people outside of the family since his passing has been truly remarkable. They talk of his gentleness, his charm, his dry humour his intellect, and his unmistakable laugh. They talk of his strength, courage and bravery, and of his great love for his family. We are so proud to have had a Dad that has been so liked, loved and so highly regarded by so many.

To his children he was the very centre and foundation of our lives, and each of his children had a unique relationship with him. Since Dad's passing however, I feel from our chats that we all have some things in common. We all agree that Dad was one of the few people in our lives that knew us completely. He knew us, he knew our unique tones, he knew us inside and out; things needed little explanation with Dad. Along with Mum, he was the person we would go to for advice. He was trustworthy and wise, extremely honest, a natural pessimist and hopeful optimist.

Some of the clearest memories are those of Dad working under the many family members' cars; his ability to fix a fan belt with a pair of mums tights was, in my book, impressive!

His advice, guidance, opinion, love and friendship will be deeply missed by us all. Dad has been the very backbone of our family and the future seems very scary without him.

Our Dad had a dry wit that could have you laughing in spite of yourselves. Sometimes naughty and mischievous, sometimes with just the roll of the eyes, he could have you in stitches and had a laugh that was knowing and highly contagious.

He was very accomplished at verse and had a limerick at the ready for all occasions. If anyone had upset me, a funny Limerick about the situation or person to make me laugh would be forthcoming... It makes me smile to remember them but perhaps better not to repeat them here. They always stayed between the two of us.

In the last weeks of Dad’s life he fought with great endurance and courage. “I am going to fight” he said, and boy did he fight.

The battle was fought with the help of our Mum, whose devotion and care of Dad was unfailing and truly inspiring.

Those of us lucky to be around them witnessed a great love that was exceptional and rare. Holding hands at every opportunity: when I suggested that they put a larger table between their two new armchairs they both said in unison, "No! We won't be able to hold hands when we watch TV at night!" A love that spanned over 60 years.

When Dad was in the wonderful Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, he confided in us that his biggest wish and aim was to make it home and to celebrate their Diamond wedding anniversary in late June. It is of great comfort to us all that he was able to achieve this wish with the help of Thorpe Hall, the Hospice at home team, the Macmillan nurses, the district nurses, the Carers and his family. Well, our darling Dad, you did it!
Mum and Dad were delighted to receive a very special message from the Queen celebrating their life as man and wife, which is now framed and of course in pride of place at home.
On the day we celebrated this amazing achievement, with Dad raising a glass with us from his bed, he was so relived to have made it and been able to enjoy it. A happy day!

Although Dad was very weak and in tremendous pain in his last days, he made sure that every opportunity was taken to express his love for his family individually. We were all told of his pride and love for us and these memories will be treasured forever. Thank you Dad for giving that gift to us.

Dad's pride and love for Mum and us all shone out at the end of his life and as ever Dad was there to help and advise.
He left another gift, a poem.

Dad loved his family more than anything, and with these words he reveals this love.



'My Family' by John Noble



I wish I could tell you what it means to me,

To be part of a wonderful family,

Three boys, three girls, mum and dad.

There have been times, we’re very sad,

But by holding hands, and being there,

We’ve held on to each other, with love and care.