A message to Dad from Mary or as he would say Lizzie

This is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to write, but something I needed to do, because I cannot be there today to say goodbye!

Our Dad, what can we tell you, except to us he was the best Dad, he was there for us when we were growing up, there were six of us, but along with Mum, he did his best to make sure we had everything other kids had, bikes, toys, holidays and even cars as we got older!  He was the one who never complained when one of his girls (or all of us) would ring him at midnight (or sometimes later) asking for a lift having missed the last bus home or wanting to carry on partying and stay on a bit later, even though he had an early start the next day.

Over the last few days so many memories have come back to me and it would take a book to write it all down, but things such as every morning for our school break there would be a pile of coins one for each of us, then there would be the times when he would make sure that he was doing a drive up Hanbury Hill so he could give us a lift.  He liked his garden and worked hard in the evenings tending not only the vegetables but his favourite roses as well, and then he would come in sit down to watch television and promptly fall asleep though would never admit he had and would say he was just resting his eyes!  He liked his cup of tea and made me laugh many times as he would make me a coffee, I take my coffee black with no sugar, but Dad could not accept that anyone could possibly enjoy coffee like that so he would put in two sugars and milk and say, ah won’t hurt this time, you’re only having your coffee like that cause you don’t want to put on weight.  He loved his cars and would spend many a day tinkering away repairing this and that and probably his favourite thing was to go for a drive.  Memories as children of going out for a drive and collecting bluebells, blackberries and going up and down the scotch hills us all laughing in the back of the car as we left our tummies behind!

Dad had lots of proud moments, like the time he met and shook hands with the Queen, he named the club for his work and when he found out he was going to be a Granddad for the first time, I remembered him saying he was far too young, but what a proud Granddad he was and his Grandchildren, like his own kids have lots of good memories of him.

So Dad we will never forget you, finally you are out of pain, I know you have suffered a great deal lately, but now finally back with Mum, may she make you happy again.  We love you lots and only have to close our eyes and we can imagine you are here.

Rest in Peace until we meet again – Good bye and lots of love from us all.

Mary and Gordon in Rarotonga

Message from Caroline, David and Laura in New Zealand

Even though we are on the other side of the world we still remember our Granddad and wanted to let everyone know that we are thinking of him and them today.  He was a wonderful granddad and we were spoiled rotten!  Whether it was playing board games, raiding the biscuit box, riding on Lassies back or just following him around the garden while he tended to his roses and his apple tree, we all loved him dearly and are glad that he will finally be united with our Grandma again.  Bye Granddad and may the angels watch over you.

I would like to say a few words in remembrance of my Dad George Patrick who we all loved very much and we are going to miss him lots.

On March 17^th 1950 he met my mum at the sacred heart club & as soon as he saw her he fell in love with her & the song which you just heard My Heart & I by Josef Locke was playing & this became their song they married on September 16^th the same year

Happy 78th Birthday Mum hope you are eating your strawberries, we love & miss you so much you were the best Mum in the world & will remain in our hearts & thoughts forever all our love Wendy & Hilary

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    Mum I can't believe its 21 years since we lost you, I know you are watching us spiritually but I wish you were still here in person I loved you so much & still do, I miss our talks & the games we used to play & I miss your hugs, wish you were here now to give me a hug now all my love Wendy xxxx