Dad

June 2016 rocked our world when dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. He remained up to the last few months quite oblivious to how serious it was. He couldn’t even pronounce what it was telling people he had pancralactus. He showed no self pity and just got on with all the gruelling tasks that came with this rollercoaster. He used to joke “I might have cancer but im still bloody good looking .“ his courage was incredible. 

Dad loved life,. And was at his happiest driving his truck and at home with mum watching his TV. He loved his job and even commented only a few weeks ago after his chemo that he might get a little driving job !!! He loved to potter in his garden, he loved sport and his beloved Leeds Utd.  He used to take me to every Leeds home game but we always had to leave  early to avoid the traffic and then we missed the goals!! Dad loved music and we spent many times at the theatre watching musicals,concerts and he really loved the ballet too. Olivia managed to see Wicked with him in February and he loved it.

Holidays were a must and we have so many happy memories spent with Aunty Pat and Uncle Colin and family over the years. We laugh at the hundreds of pictures of the four of them sat in the same pose with a coffee or a beer. Darren even got mum and dad up on a parasail when we all visited Malta for their wedding, it was hilarious.

When looking through all our lovely cards it is clear that Dad was a special man. Words to describe him range from funny, loving, kind , bonkers. My friend Kate wrote “what a truly great man he was, he instantly filled the room with his warmth and amazing smile, you could then count on a (slightly too hard) squeeze and chuckle with a hint of pipe “!!!!!!!!

Without a doubt the most wonderful thing about dad was his sense of humour. His and mums one liners deserve their very own book !! Throughout my childhood he was always there with unconditional love and support.in my teenage years he loved to embarrass me at the school bus stop in his huge truck shouting at me to climb in! This then carried on in the nightclub queue as he bellowed laughing out of the car window for me to be home before eleven.

Olivia and Hannah then came along and without doubt were the apples of his eye. His love for them was immense. He was so proud of Russell and how he took care of us all and really happy that we had settled into our new life here in Devon.Mum and dad had amazing times and memories in Woodland Rise meeting some truly life long friends along the way. Last October they said goodbye to Leeds to take the huge move to be with us here . Dad loved it here and even though short I am forever grateful that he got here and saw mum settled and he knew she would be fine.

Thank you dad for been the best dad/ grandad we could wish for. We will miss you more than words can say, I will miss your silly voice messages you left me. We love you and as you always used to say

Good night god bless xx