I believe everyone who met John, would say, it was a “pleasure and a privilege”.  He was a lovely gentleman, who was always good company, as he shared a joke or laugh, (often about his hair style!).

He was very much respected, admired and loved.  - Firstly as a brother and cousin, then as Husband to June, Dad to Lee, an Uncle to many, and very importantly, as Gramps to Scott, and of course, always as a good neighbour and friend.

He was always able to apply his logical, realistic, engineering mind-set to any situation, and unselfishly and generously gave his skills and talents, to happily to help anyone. 

There was not a kettle, toaster, hairdryer, or any other electrical implement that wasn’t touched by his mending hand.

In our house we would often chant …”Can Gramps fix it?  Yes he can!”…

I was always grateful to Mum and Dad, for having the courage to allow me to go off and do mountaineering, abroad with the Scouts, aged just 15!

The first time Sally (my wife) met Dad, he was helping me renovate my flat in North-western Avenue.  Fortunately, this was a regular Saturday activity, which continued to all the houses we moved in to! 

The first action was normally to build the fish pond, followed by the shed, and then the extension.  Dad would always come over armed with favourite cakes for lunch   – Jam do noughts were his speciality.  He would also bring his work overalls and cap…to keep his head warm!  - (We all know why … - he had no hair)! 

For every diverse project he always had great ideas and put in extra ordinary amounts of physical effort.   Dad and I would often have a giggle too! – Normally, at the most critical part of the operation, or when they were trying to balance something! – I have photos of John up on the second floor scaffold of our house, less than two years ago, aged 84!

It was a 20 mile drive to our house, and John would be there from early morning to dusk.

Whenever June (MUM) and John purchased a car, it was for life!

The infamous Austin A60 was loved and cared for, for many years.  It was given to me, and then went on to my Aunt and Uncle, giving it a great life for 20 years.  Their cars were always immaculately looked after.   It was when changing the gear box on the old Austin A60, that I first heard Dad swear!

I still have Dads VW Golf with more than 130 thousand miles on the clock, still going well today.

It was typical of both June and John to help other people.  They were both very organised, did everything to an exceptionally high standard, with lots of thought and consideration.

John continued this very high regime, with house work and in the garden, after June sadly passed away four years ago.  Many of us were so impressed that he continued to send such perfect cards, on the right dates, to everyone…something I wish I could master, to the same level of perfection, right now.

John’s engineering mind-set and logical attention was a real asset, not only to his family and friends, but also to Rolls Royce where he worked for over 25 years at Leavesden. 

John, Sally, Scott and I were fortunate enough to have a private tour of what is now the Warner Brothers site, when they were filming Harry Potter, and we were able to see some of the areas where John worked … We located his work station and office area, which was amongst the Harry Potter sets.

John will be much missed, but extremely fondly and positively remembered by all of us, not only for his practical support and consideration, but also for the Laughs he generated. .. This is especially true for his nieces and nephews and the next generation.  …Whenever Gramps was around, there would normally be the biggest belly laughs from Scott... and in more recent years, he would phone Scott up, just to tell him a joke!

Gramps was a huge influencer and great buddy to Scott, despite being over 70 when Scott was born, every week, twice a week June and John would look after Scott.   Gramps would be building camps under tables, on the floor playing marbles, dominoes or tiddlywinks, outside playing football, going to St Albans lake, with remote controlled speed boat, visiting Mead Open Farm, or Hendon Air Museum or having great times at top golf, all based on whatever Scott requested. 

He was known by the staff, at Scott’s schools, cricket and football clubs, as he would often be there to pick Scott up or cheer him on.  Gramps was full of energy and laughter… Scott and Gramps thought the world of each other and  Gramps reiterated this in one of his final conversations…as well as telling me to “get the blinking shed roof fixed” (or words to that effect )…and if he was here right now, he would apologise for swearing!

Such was John’s  character, that the wonderful Doctor who looked after him in hospital, told me that he was very happy for John to stay on his ward, …as he was a “superstar patient”, who would be well looked after by the nurses, as he was so charismatic and polite… and they loved his jokes.

… John was such a gentleman, that just an hour or so before passing,  he asked to speak with the Doctor and said, “Thank you, it is a privilege to know you”,  after taking a deep breath, the Doctor replied, summing up how we all feel……”the privilege and pleasure was mine, I have learnt a lot from you”

….. So rest in peace John… you certainly deserve a good rest, and give our love to June, as you reignite that wonderful partnership. 

With Loads of Love from Sally, Scott, me, and all of us. xxxxx