In memory of Dad Dad was stolen from us by a wicked disease that left him bed bound and unable to communicate for nearly 3 years before it finally took his life. Although these images are still vivid in my memory I would like you all to join me in remembering the man that was. Some of my earliest memories are those of camping, mum & dad used to take us to the same campsite every year during the school holidays, we loved it. We used to fish, one of Dad’s many hobbies, he often got up at dawn, walk to the river and have a peaceful fish before us boys joined him. He must have had the patience of a saint because I’m sure he spent most of his time untangling our fishing lines or threading new hooks for us rather than fishing himself. On one occasion Rich lost his hook and for some reason Dad wasn’t able to sort out another one for him, so Rich being disappointed asked Dad if he could continue fishing without the hook, Dad explained that he wouldn’t be able to catch anything, and Rich’s response was ‘perhaps if the fish hold on really tight’, I don’t remember Dads response to this but I’m sure he found it amusing. Dad loved tinkering in the garage, he would often spend an evening out there, working on the latest project. He was incredibly practical, he could turn his hand to anything; whatever he did he did with precision and perfection. He spent many hours doing DIY around the house, I remember him plumbing in a whole central heating system to our childhood home. He had never done any plumbing before but researched the topic and planned it meticulously and I’m sure to this day it’s the best installed heating system in the road. Half measures would not do the ‘if your going to do it then do it right’ mentality shone from him, much, I’m sure, to Mum’s disappointment sometimes as she patiently waited for the project to be finished. She knew though that the standard of craftsmanship would be second to none. As us boys grew up and ventured onto motorcycles, another of Dads interests, we were ever grateful for his guidance and advice, he was always willing to teach us a thing or two, but when your 16 and all you want to do is get out with your mates I’m sure I didn’t pay enough attention to what I was being told! Something I often regret. He was a generous man, he regularly gave up his time to help us boys with a project, when I seized the engine on my motorcycle he spent many hours stripping down the engine and rebuilding it for me in time for me to do my motorcycle test. Camping featured heavily in Dad’s life and the family were active members of the local camping and caravanning club. I have very fond memories of this time, we spent almost every weekend camping in a field somewhere and often there would be a social in the evening, this often involved a dance, in which without fail Mum and Dad would do their Jive and we boys would hide! Dad’s sense of fun was great, he was often the joker of the pack, much to the embarrassment of his boys, and the crowning moment for this was at a barn dance where Dad laid on the floor as a broom because there were not enough brooms! These moments were common and at the time we were mortified but it’s these memories that epitomise the man that was my Dad. Dad was adventurous also; before we were born Dad used to do trail’s riding and on his 65th birthday we all had an afternoon on quad bikes and I think he put us all to shame! He took up windsurfing in his latter years and was a sight to see planing across the lake. Dad was not content just to go fast he wanted to learn the technicalities of the sport and as a result would spend many hours at the lake practicing. A trait which he has passed onto us all. Dad was devoted to Mum and their relationship is to be admired. During Dad’s illness Mum became a rock in which Dad could rely and I know I speak for my brothers when I say we are so proud of her and what she did for Dad. So it is with great sadness that I mark the passing of my Dad but I would like you all to join me in celebrating his life.