Dad passed away. It was on 11 June 2006 and he left at 3:30 in the morning, although the certificate from the hospital said 7:10. He left us from his own bed and he left peacefully, looking so relaxed. He had been talking to folks on the phone the night before and was looking forward to attending his grandson’s wedding the next weekend.
The funeral was the following Thursday, 15 June 2006 at Coffs Harbour and 60 people came. Many more sent their condolences and their regards. My father was well liked. He and mum have been living around the Macksville area for around 15 years now. I do not know of anyone who did not like my father.
Dad was a happy guy. I cannot remember dad being miserable for any length of time. Even when the doctor told him about his anuerism, a night’s sleep and the happy hormone took over and he carried on. He sometimes got grumpy, especially as he got older, but he generally always had a smile and a happy word.
He loved model trains. He bought his first railway layout for me. I was a small boy and had just had an eye operation and I was asked what I wanted. I replied “a trainset” A trainset was bought for me and after the first couple of weeks, it was then up to dad to play with it – and play with it he did, for the next 45 years. Half the area under the house was taken up with train layout.
The one thing that all of us who knew dad are left with is smiles. Smiles when we remember the things he said, the things he did or the way he said them. You’ll be missed dad, but missed always with a smile on our faces. Rest now and watch the trains pass.
Thomo's Hole 
I'm very sorry for you loss, and accept my condolences… Loved how you've described your father's character. It tells a lot about a person.
I've been reaidng your blog from sometime as one another source from my homeland.
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Thanks for your kind thoughts and words – it is always hard and I guess that whilst time makes it easier to bear the loss, it is still always a loss.
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Hello. Just passing and thought I'd add a comment to your blog about the death of your Dad. So many old people today are left – abandoned even – to die alone and unwanted, very often in a place which is unfamiliar to them. My own father died five years ago, after a long and painful cancer (which he'd kept quiet about) in a "nursing home" late at night with no staff on duty and no-one with him. He was the 'stiff upper lip' sort and had been in the RN on minesweepers throughout WWII. My mother too passed away in the most horrible of "care homes" I hesitate to ….. no I shall not describe the conditions. She had Altzheimers. So I can sympathise entirely with you and have to say that, in my opinion, dying at home, in ones own bed, is the best option, preferably with ones own family an friends by your side…….. *hugs* Vicky.
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Thanks for the thoughts too Vicky. All my grandparents died in their homes … or in hospital within hours of being transported from home. Dad really was chuffed to have made 80 years of age – his OBE as he described it … Over Bloody Eighty 🙂 – and even at the end, it was just another normal day for him, finished by cooking dinner for mum, some TV, reading and then sleep. I feel so relieved and happy that at his end it was peaceful. I'm sure his thoughts are still floating in the aether planning what he is going to do when he wakes.
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