DAD’S FUNERAL SPEECH • Firstly, I would like to thank everyone that has joined us today to pay their respects to our dad. In these uncertain times and with the current restrictions imposed, today has taken a different route to what we are all accustomed too. For me it is humbling that despite the barriers in place you have all managed to join us, and for that……… both myself and my brother are deeply grateful! • For myself and Graham, today is not just about saying goodbye to a great man, a truly thoughtful father, and friend, but also reflecting on the massive impact dad has had on us both and the way he has guided us towards being the adults and individuals we are today There were times in my young adult life that I faltered, and began walking down the wrong road, not once during this time did my dad ever turn his back on me, he was always there standing by my side to let me know that although I had made mistakes, he was still with me and together we could fix it! • There were so many things that dad enjoyed, but the main items that reach out to us as being things that gave dad the greatest enjoyment were firstly……..his golf, and although I am not a golfer myself, it is evident that dad was a very capable player, whether this be from the multiple stories of the wins he’d had or the many trophies that were proudly displayed at home from his golf societies, that he loved so much! The game itself and the banter during the games, gave dad so much enjoyment that it is easy to see why this was such an important part of his life Secondly……..Ireland was always a place that allowed dad to re-centre, relax and contemplate many things his cousin Dan’s farm (forever known as Uncle Dan to me and Graham) was a sanctuary for dad walking through the fields early in the morning, in a stealth like fashion to spy on the local wildlife in their natural habitat and also being close to the water and the calming effects this had. Our family and friends in Ireland were always a large part of dad’s experiences while he was out there and I know without doubt that he loved them all very much and enjoyed every minute of being there with them, and felt very much at home! • Dad was always dedicated to every task he undertook, no matter how great or small. He would do everything to the best of his ability and still push himself to be better, whether this was as an engineer, fixing a press in the Royal Mint, getting a production line back up and running in any given part of the world or simply fixing one of my hoovers. It was his unwavering commitment to any exercise that ensured he succeeded in almost everything that he did! Watching this and experiencing the satisfaction this gave to dad, changed my life in many ways, especially with work! Rather than see the day to day items as the normal grind. I started to see it as a process that was needed to be completed for me to look back at what I had just achieved and be proud of my accomplishment! • I am sure you will all have many great memories of our dad at different points through the times you shared with him, he truly was an amazing person! He was a proud man that always stood up to what he believed in, a dignified and positive man that was always polite (at least at first) a brave man that stuck by his word and rarely backed down, but above all of that, he was a loving, thoughtful, caring dad and friend to both me and Graham! Someone who would always listen, or just be the person that was there in your time of need for the guidance you needed to hear! • In closing, I would like to say that the precious time we spent with dad will be for us both to always cherish, as we look back at the proud, stable, conscientious, brave and dignified person dad was, we can only hope we can be half the man he was throughout the trials and tribulations of life. Dad always made a point of letting us know how proud of us he was. My one wish from this point forward is that we can both continue to make dad proud, in the hope he is looking down on us, still with his hand on our shoulder! Dad you will never be forgotten! There are so many areas of our day to day life that remind us of you, so many points of guidance in our personal and professional lives that we have always followed! I thank you for your patience throughout the years and we both thank you most of all, for your love and friendship!