Seeing our Dad in his diminished health over the past few years could lead us to forget what he was like when healthy, and younger.
He was always an honest, hard worker, qualities that he invested in us, his children.
Right from his youth, he worked hard. First at an Insurance company, a time we only know of from his telling us stories. Like the time he was counseled by his manager not to whistle while he worked. Apparently, that was not the done thing!
Then, when he used to take one or more of us boys out with him when he delivered meat while working at FMC. We remember those road trips in the big white truck, and being waved at as we peered out of the truck's windows as Dad toured around the West Country.
Even later, when he used to cycle around doing his postman deliveries early in the morning (far too early for us to see him go), and then come back and haul his ladders out onto his window-cleaning round in the afternoons. We saw him then, and each of his boys have tried that job out with much less enthusiasm than Dad.
But little is ever said about his sporting prowess. Mostly because he didn't have much actual prowess. But nevertheless he was an enthusiastic participant in our games of football and cricket at the local park. For the early years he showed us how to play, showing us just how to dribble and pass a ball, or giving us the lead with his "unorthodox" fast bowling. His action was not a thing of beauty, but it certainly was loaded with effort and determination.
When advancing years called for something slower, he would give us his "Rocket Rod" moves at the snooker table.
But what he should be remembered for are not his 147 breaks - because there weren't any - but his willingness to do anything for anyone, like ferrying family, friends and acquaintances around to get them wherever they needed to be.
That he did these things always with a smile on his lips is something we'll remember.
Dad, we love you and miss you.
Rachel, Mandy, Lawrence, Stephen, and Philip
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