Thursday 20 May 2010

My FIL

My father in law died yesterday.

He had prostate cancer and finally gave up the fight a few days ago. It is amazing how fast things go once you stop fighting.

I really liked him, he was a great guy, a real man of his generation. As a child during the Second World War, he collected unexploded bombs, causing a huge panic in his village when he and a few friends dragged one by its tail fin along the main street. After this the collection of bombs in his bedroom was found and taken away...

He was in the Airforce after the Second World War, serving in Germany for a time as batman (like a butler) to a high ranking officer. We have a photo of him looking very dashing in his boss's uniform . After leaving the Airforce, he became a teddyboy, and had a scar on his face from a knife fight he had outside a dance.

In later life he took to painting strange pictures, often comical, and often featuring sheep for some reason.

He enjoyed a drink, and right up to the last couple of months he regularly went out with a gang of friends to the village social club and would somehow get home again. I don't think he had any more knife fights, though. Thinking about it, his life was just one big party!

He will be missed, but leaves behind a lot of people who loved him and have great memories of time spent with him.

9 comments:

Reggie Hunnicutt said...

Sounds like a great guy. Good tribute. Sorry for your loss.

Marie said...

Sorry for your loss.

agg79 said...

Sorry to hear about FIL.
Very nice tribute to a great man who will be missed.

CiCi said...

Sorry to hear about your FIL. Give my condolences to you wife too. It sounds like your FIL lived life to the fullest with an ever ending curiosity for things. Best wishes to your whole family during your time of grieving.

morethananelectrician said...

I am sorry for everyone's loss.

terri said...

I'm sorry for your loss. He would be very happy to know he has left you with some great stories and wonderful memories.

tz said...

I am so sorry. You wrote a very lovely tribute. There is such comfort in memories and stories such as yours.

Shrinky said...

"His whole life was a party" What a lovely epitah..! So sad he went before his time. (Hugs)

Teresa said...

I'm sorry RC.