I took neither of these photos of him in different stages of his life but I have 'stitched' them together to make a tribute to him today.
He lived life with equanimity and was a methodical and meticulous man. He had a sense of humour coupled with a sense of fair play. Listening to music, especially classical, was always a great pleasure for him, and I remember him getting together with surviving army pals after the war to play the harmonica and the trumpet.
He was a keen gardener, and liked especially to grow dahlias and sweet peas. When they were small, his four grandchildren benefited from his interest in DIY and carpentry as he made them beautifully finished toys. He was an enthusiastic follower of Ipswich Town Football Club and a lifelong supporter of the Labour Party.
His first job was as a printer’s apprentice and he worked next, as an estimator, at British Steel Piling Co. at Claydon, Suffolk. After he retired from BSP, he became an usher at Ipswich Crown Court, which he enjoyed and found very interesting.
He died on August 22nd, our wedding anniversary, in 1998.
@judithg Judith, thanks for looking and for comments on my stitching job. I don't do a lot of it, either photographically, or otherwise now! Bittersweet day in a way I guess but I am pretty much a realist now and my dad did come back and have a family and a life and was 79 when he died. The timing was quite strange as he had a big stroke on the Friday and died early Sat a.m. on our 28th anniversary. Bizarrely, he'd sent us an anniversary card (which he didn't usually do) and so we opened that after his death (I've kept it of course.) Life.............
@anazad511 Thank you. I'm sorry about your husband - it's a strange thing, the coincidence of the dates...... And it was so strange my dad dying on our wedding anniversary.
He has been gone along time Honey but you keep him alive with his wonderful diaries and tributes; I think I would of like to have known you Father, he seems the most interesting of men. Two beautiful tributes Hazel
Claire, I do appreciate your interest and your comments.
@claireuk
Thank you. I find 365 is such a great resource for photos - and life - with all the wonderful features it has to offer. @scrivna