Dear Dad
Words cannot express the grief we felt at losing you. The day that god called you home, I was not ready to lose you, none of us were. You were the foundation of our family. It was only your fitness and strength of character that kept you with us for so long. Family was important to you, and in our grief, we pulled together to support one another as you would have wanted and we promise to always be there for each other. We have tried to take comfort in the knowledge that you are no-longer suffering. A bright and shining light was taken from our lives the day that god called you home, but an even brighter light now shines in heaven. Not a single day goes by when I do not think about you and wonder what you would be doing.
So many people, including all the family came to say goodbye, there was representatives from the Korean Society, along with the British Legion who acted as standard bearers. Jane, Linda, and the grand-children read some of the poems that you had written. You would have been so proud. We have all shed so many tears, but we try to remember the good times and all the happy memories which make us smile again.
You joined the army as a young man and were stationed in Germany for five years where you learnt to speak fluent German, plus you served in Korea and regularly received a copy of their magazine. You had a wonderful sense of humour and enjoyed sharing with us the jokes they printed. You also enjoyed a good debate with your Son-in-Law’s about the latest topics printed in the paper, especially if it was about politics. I always admired you, you took everything in your stride even when you awarded the British Empire Medal by the Queen.
DAD, you were a proud family man and were always there for us, whether it was with words of wisdom or encouragement. I shall cherish all the wonderful memories that I have like the first time you took me for a ride on the back of your motor bike, the time you taught me to drive and the day you walked me down the aisle on my wedding day. Plus, the shared holidays we had to Poland, Scotland, and Austria, not forgetting the special times we shared as a family like Christmas and birthdays. There was also Mother’s Day and Father’s Day every year to celebrate. We will still celebrate Father’s Day every year by remembering all the special memories that we shared with you and by remembering what a truly special Dad you were to us. We all miss you so much, you will always be in our hearts and thoughts.
DAD, you loved the outdoors and when we were growing up we had many family holidays camping in Devon and Cornwall. I have so many happy memories of them, like the time you tried to teach me to fly my kite which I had saved up to buy with my pocket money. When David and I got married we brought our own tent and then later we purchased a caravan and had some great times camping, creating our own memories. You and mum continued to share many holidays together when we had all left home, walking in Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Scotland. Then later you decided on a gentler way of life by choosing to go on some cruise holidays. You travelled around the world visiting many different countries and creating so many wonderful memories together. You always dreamed of winning the lottery so you could own your own boat and a few pigs. You even predicted you had won with the last ticket you brought, but sadly it was not as much as you thought. You liked to keep fit by exercising and lifting weights, plus you enjoyed taking long walks along Stokes Bay and Lee on Solent and when the season was right you would bring mum home tubs of blackberries for her to bake into blackberry and apple pies for you both to enjoy. You loved Mum’s home cooked food especially her hot pots, rabbit stews and bread pudding.
DAD, there are so many wonderful things that I shall remember about you, like the way you twiddled your tie or jumper and the way you would always be whistling happily away to yourself no matter where you were or what you were doing. You also had a wonderful talent for writing and would spend hours on your computer writing poems about different people or things. I loved it when I visited you and Mum, and you would go and fetch your latest poems to recite to me. You also created many different characters that you would write stories about including Mole, Badger, and Rat who you wrote a story about called ‘Mole, Badger, and Rat Estate Agents, Surveyors and Valuers.’ Afterwards you always signed your work from the “Pen of Len.” One of your grand Daughter’s had the book about Mole, Badger and Rat published for you as a surprise and we all purchased copies for ourselves to cherish.
DAD, you taught me so many things including the importance of family. You were a proud husband, Father, Father-in law, grandfather, and great grandfather. Even though we are now all married and lead our own lives, we still enjoyed many family occasions including Christmas. Even though you were not in the best of health you made sure that we all celebrated last Christmas together with a family meal. Another memory that we shall not forget.
I was so proud to be your Daughter, we all were and we will always be proud to call you “OUR DAD.” I shall cherish all the memories I have and the precious times we shared together, the things you taught me, the words of advice, wisdom, and the love you gave me. Dad, you will never be forgotten and will always be in our thoughts and hearts.

Lots of love
Your loving Daughter
Katherine xxxx