When we think of how our dad touched our lives, the first words that come to mind are “love and admiration”. First and foremost his love and dedication for our Mum Esther, his devotion to his children Una, me and my wife Karen and the pride he had for his grandchildren Emma, Owen, James and Alex.
He was a kind, gentle, intelligent and private man whose life revolved around his family. He instilled in us his core values: love, respect, tolerance, loyalty that has made us the strong close unit we are today.
As a former teacher he was a disciplined man, but he never missed the opportunity to let his hair down and have a laugh with family and friends - from Hat Nights in Hamburg to the Hokey Koki in Anglesey and leading the Gangnam style dancing in the living room at Christmas.
We are lucky to have so many treasured memories including long summer holidays in Ireland – the road trips around the country packed into dads white Ford Anglia. Walking through the peat bogs, wearing matching home knit Aaron sweaters and school blazers - our only protection from the harsh Irish wind and the rain. Relaxing evenings spent in Howth watching the fisherman with Granny & Granddad Lowe and walking along Dollymount Strand collecting shells.
And then the caravan holidays in Wales. Listening to the band in the clubhouse cover dads current favorite pop group, Dr. Hook singing about “Sylvia’s Mother”. Welsh road trips now with the cassette recorder in the car blasting out Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Dads love of travel and family holidays then took us on to Spain – the latest “Go To”destination in the 70’s Benidorm; where we experienced the joys of Spanish tummy, the delicacy of Spanish chips, sun, sea, sand and smiles.
But it wasn’t just holidays that were special with dad, every day was special –
The daily school runs with me to St Amsalem’s College, where he taught Chemistry, anda constant revision period throughout the car journey. Evenings ventured out to Liverpool Stadium with Grandad Seery to watch the wrestling, despite the1970’s power strike blackouts.
Trips together to Anfield to watch Liverpool; and the excitement of train journeys to Wembley for the cup finals!
Sharing his newly acquired dancing skills with Mum and Una; endlessly practicing the Cha-Cha in the living room on Sunday afternoons!
Lying in the sun in the back garden eating homemade ice lollies!
His culinary skills, inherited from his mother, went through many phases including peanut cookies, chocolate caramel, Barm Brack, and finally ice cream.
Sharing Christmas and New Year with his mum and dad, Uncle Pat, Aunty Betty and Cousin Mandi.- festive cheer and parlour games.
So many happy memories - too many to recount!
Throughout our adult life dad remained a constant source of strength and inspiration. On call 24 hours a day if required to guide and reassure us. He has shared our highs and supported us through our lows. We couldn’t have done it without him.
He has been blessed with four wonderful Grandchildren – Emma, Owen, James and Alex. They have been his source of pride and joy and he loved them as much as he did us.
When my work took me, Karen, Emma and James off to Hamburg dad and mum were frequent visitors for holidays and we celebrated Birthdays, Anniversaries, Christmas and Graduation Proms together. They also took the opportunity to explore Germany from Berlin in the North to Cologne and Bavaria in the south.
As our families grew up and flew the nest, we still took the opportunity to celebrate occasions together as a family; wedding anniversary in Centre Parks, Tuscany and Andalucía for mine and Unas 50th birthday, long weekends in Stratford-upon-Avon with Alex to the Royal Shakespeare Company and more recently celebrating his 80th birthday party at home in his usual style of party games.
Our last holiday all together just over 12 months ago was a fabulous week in Anglesey.
It’s difficult to imagine him not being around and we’re not sure how we will all cope. We will miss him dearly. It’s strange to think that we can’t just give him a call or pop around to see him at home.
We will miss our dad, our inspiration, our voice of reason.
Our mum will miss her loving husband, her best friend, her soul mate.
His grandchildren will miss his unconditional love, his guidance, his homemade ice cream!
But we will never forget him or stop loving him; he will live on forever in our hearts.
“How lucky are we to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”