I drove up from Rye to Waterbeach yesterday for my weekly catch-up with Dad in his care home, finding him uncharacteristically asleep without finishing his Sunday roast and an attractive looking sponge pudding and custard.
He never woke up, and died (“promoted to glory”) peacefully late last night at 91, only a few hours after his cousin and neighbour who’d only been admitted to Hatley Court a week previously, and just after his beloved Salvation Band had played for them that morning.
Keith always had the best smile, a lesson in cheerfulness to all, and enjoyed being ferried to numerous Fenland pubs and museums in his last years.
I hope I inherited his cheeriness, if not his good looks,
which he kept despite Mum’s cooking and his own love for Chinese takeaways.
Dad would be the first to say “Life goes on”, so I’ll be back with you tonight with matters of less life and death importance.
So very sorry to hear the news Martin. I hope good memories of your father are of some help at this difficult time.
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Very much so, thanks Paul. I’m relieved I’d cancelled exciting plans for beer in Sheffield (and the Netherlands) so I was with him yesterday.
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My condolences Martin, a lovely set of pictures to go with the memories.
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So sorry to hear this news Martin, at least he is in peace now. Take care.
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Sorry to hear Martin, but again a few lovely words & pics. Take care pal, Jim L
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Martin, very sorry to hear that.
Dick and Barb
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Thanks folk, we’re really sorry we can’t join you on your current trip. Look forward to hearing about it and seeing pics of Barb drinking the 12% Belgian beers.
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Condolences RM. He was a genuinely nice man. Glad I met him and saw his beautiful garden,
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Hey ! What’s wrong with wild gardens like the one you saw in Sheffield ?
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All the best to you and the family. From your posts there was a lot of warmth to him. I’m sure you’ll all have some lovely memories to hold close as time goes by.
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Sorry for your loss Martin. That’s a wonderful tribute you’ve just posted.
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A very good innings 🙂
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I love the Salvation Army “Promoted to Glory ” phrase. You were lucky to have him for so long – my condolences
Pauline
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So that’s where your love of a good Chinese came from.
Fantastic innings.
Condolences.
Prof
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My dad used to delivery veg to the Cambridge colleges and restaurants, including the very early Chinese restaurants in town. Visiting the smart one in Burleigh Street with net curtains was my parents main indulgence.
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You manage to write such an uplifting post on an inescapably sad thing Martin and I can’t praise that enough.
Love and best wishes to you and yours from M and S. (No not the shop but it’s even worse the other way round…)
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But you should start a shop, really.
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Condolences to your family and yourself. Glad you got to spend some time with him at the end.
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