I remember all those happy times Ron and I spent with you, Julie and the girls.  Cherished holidays in Boscombe and Italy with you all. 

I remember with fondness, all the weekends Ron and I we spent with you tinkering with his car and your taxi in your fully-equipped, caverness garage at GNW.  Sometimes, your drive resembled a taxi rank.  There would be your taxi, your dad’s, Franky’s and Austin’s cabs, all lined up waiting for you to work your magic.  There was nothing you didn’t know about cars.  Even the garage at the top of GNW sought your advice, such was your knowledge and experience, and you gave it freely.

I remember playing in the vast fields at the back of your house, progressing from flying a kite to a model aeroplane(!), playing rounders and hitting golf balls from one end of the field to the other.

I remember walking across the field to visit Lil & Sam, stopping at Sam’s allotment on the way.  Years later, when Lyn and I married and lived nearby in Engel Park, we would walk across the same field to your happy, welcoming house.

I remember trips to the breakers yard with you and Ron to ‘buy’ spare parts for our cars and how you used to’ hide’ small parts in your toolbox.  ‘Everyone does it’, you said.

I remember playing ball with Jock in the back garden and field.  How we all loved that field.  And I remember you would let me cut your lawn with the petrol mower and not complain when I scalped it, which I did frequently, sorry!

I remember Lyn and I watching the Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ video with you all at your house, over and over again.  And I remember you perching Victoria above the door, one-handed, when she was just a toddler and the terrified look on her face and Lyn’s too.  You liked to tease till you got a reaction, then you were pleased.  That was just you and we loved you for it.

These are the everlasting memories I cherish and hold dear.  Sadly, we never got to tell you how much you meant to us all.  But we’re sure you knew.