Obit: alison's dad

Subject: Obit: alison's dad
From: alison
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 02:46 AM

Dad passed away peacefully at home with Rosemary, myself and a few close family members yesterday.

Dad was a wonderful man, he loved music, even in his last few days when he didn't seem to be aware of much, he would conduct or tap along to his favourite songs from the old musicals and Marty Robbins cowboy ballads.

Dad loved to sing, and his 'party piece' was "The Wild Colonial Boy", unfortunately his cancer knocked out the nerve to his vocal chords and prevented him from being able to sing, which distressed him - he cried when he couldn't join in the hymn singing on "Songs of Praise" on TV.

I thank you all for your messages and thoughts.

"He drew two pistols from his belt and he proudly waved them high,
I'll fight but not surrender cried the wild colonial boy."

you fought hard dad and we're going to miss you, but I'm sure you can sing your heart out now.

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Genie
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 02:53 AM

Sorry for your dad's passing, Alison. Very glad you and Rosemary and other loved b ones were able to be with   him to help him on this vital journey.

Those of us who have been through this kind of passage send our condolences and empathy, as do of us who will later on.

Genie

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Brakn
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 02:54 AM

Sorry for your news Alison.
My thoughts are with you. x

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Amergin
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 03:01 AM

I'm sorry to hear about this, Alison....but I'm glad you were able to be there to say goodbye.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 03:20 AM

I am sorry, too. I hope you have many other wonderful memories of your dad.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 03:26 AM

All my sympathies Alison. I know how hard it hit me when my Dad passed away. In time though I found much consolation in memories of happy times together. I hope you may do the same.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Alan Day
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 04:12 AM

Sorry to hear the news Alison.
You are already talking about the happy memories so in your mind he will live on.
Take care
Al XX

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: MartinRyan
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 04:35 AM

Sorry to hear the news...

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 04:43 AM

I'm reminded of the Irish toast.

'May you be in heaven, five minutes before the devil knows you're dead'

I'm sure he was Alison. Sorry for your loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: fat B****rd
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 06:33 AM

My condolences to you and your family.
Charlie.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: GUEST,saulgoldie
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 06:38 AM

Alison,
My thoughts and prayers going out to you.

Saul

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: freda underhill
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 06:55 AM

I'm very sorry to hear he's gone Alison, but glad you could all be with him when it happened. You're lucky to have had such a lovely Dad.

x freda

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 07:03 AM

freda said it better than I could

sending more love & hugs

sandra

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 08:04 AM

So sorry Alison.
RIP
Mary

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: bbc
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 08:56 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss, Alison. I lost my dad 4 years ago in April. Sounds like he left you a rich heritage & that you have good memories of him. Good parents are such a blessing! I cried, frequently, the first couple of years after Dad's passing. Now, I can remember him with less pain & more gratitude.

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 09:41 AM

Alison, please accept my sympathy! After time has eased the pain wonderful memories will bring a smile to your face, even though a tear may still be in your eye.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: GUEST,999
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 09:58 AM

Sincere condolences, Alison.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 10:12 AM

All of my love and sympathy to you and the rest of your family, Alison. I'll never forget, one of our first times in HearMe, I think it was, when I found out we had had an Irish gal in Australia who'd grown up with her dad singing Marty Robbins! (Small world, after all!)

I am really glad, for all your sakes, that you were able to be there with him and Rosemary. I lost my dad seven years ago this month. I still miss him and wish he were here, but it doesn't hurt as much nor as constantly as it did the first couple of years. The memories and gifts our parents give us can be of great comfort. Seems this past year has put too much on your plate, though. May the coming year bring your fairer skies and as Jerry Rasmussen's song, "Handful of Songs" says, "there's joy in remembering..."

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 10:36 AM

My deepeest sympathies, alison. He must have been a wonderful man to have reared you. I also second kat's feelings for your being there to say goodbye; you loved each other all of your shared lives that way.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: jacqui.c
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 10:53 AM

I am so glad that he went peacefully - so sorry for the loss. Good thoughts going to you all.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Crowhugger
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 11:20 AM

My deepest sympathies to you and your family, alison, and it's great you were able to be there. And a warm hug for your Ryan and Shannon too, IIRC they're still in Oz.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: JennieG
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 04:37 PM

So sorry, Alison - my condolences to you and Rosemary, and to Ryan and Shannon too because they have lost their granddad.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 04:44 PM

He sounds like quite a guy....and with good taste in music... ☺.

I'm sorry you had to lose him, but glad you had so much of him and his charm.

Keep the memories alive....

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Janie
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 07:00 PM

I'm sorry, Alison. Glad his passing was peaceful and that you were able to get home to share those last precious weeks together.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: GUEST,Jaze
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 07:15 PM

Sorry for your loss,Alison

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Bugsy
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 07:23 PM

I am so sorry to hear your sad news Alison.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Bugsy

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 08:13 PM

I am very sorry my old friend......No words are enough but its all we have. All my best to you and all of your family..........but especially just to you. Take good care of yourself.........I know you're caring for all the rest but take time for yourself.........Much love...............

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: kendall
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 08:25 PM

My heartfelt condolences to you Luv.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Maryrrf
Date: 15 Nov 11 - 08:47 PM

I'm glad he went peacefully, Alison. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: banjoman
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 05:42 AM

A sad time for you and your family. Remember that so long as you have such wonderful memories, your Dad will always be with you. My Dad died over 50 years ago yet I still remember the great person he was and thank God I was a small part of his life.
Best wishes
Pete

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: GUEST,Guest Partridge
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 10:34 AM

So sorry to hear this Alison. My heart goes out to you.

Pat x

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: open mike
Date: 16 Nov 11 - 11:10 AM

(((Alison)))

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: alison
Date: 20 Nov 11 - 06:52 AM

Dad's funeral went well (as funerals go) - it was more a celebration of his life than anything else which was great. the church was packed and the service relayed to people standing outside.

His coffin came in to "Star of the County Down" -played on a full size Celtic harp. Two wonderful hymns "Be thou my vision" to the gorgeous tune - Slane (which I accompanied on the organ), and "Will your anchor hold" (the Boys Brigade hymn - to remember his BB days - played by my uncle Bruce).

my sister is a teacher and her senior school choir sang "and he will raise you up on eagles wings" - accompanied by the harp - absolutely gorgeous.......

Dad's coffin left the church again to the sound of the harp - playing his favourite party piece - "the wild colonial boy".

At the graveside I played "Amazing Grace" on the whistle as he was lowered down - its not really the 'done thing' but I just knew I had to do it.

Dad would have enjoyed it.

thanks again for your support and kind thoughts and prayers.

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Nov 11 - 07:58 AM

a right & proper funeral

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Nov 11 - 07:59 AM

a right & proper funeral as the man & his family wanted, fooey to anyone who thought Amazing Grace was out of place.

sandra

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: alanabit
Date: 20 Nov 11 - 09:24 AM

Sorry to hear your news. I hope the send off you gave him will give you and your family some comfort.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 20 Nov 11 - 09:33 AM

Alison, I can only offer that you and your loved ones are in my thoughts. Wishing you all comfort and frequent occurrence of happy memories.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Morticia
Date: 20 Nov 11 - 09:51 AM

You've had such a lot to bear this year, may you continue to do so with your typical grace and humour and know your many friends around the world are thinking of you and your family.

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 20 Nov 11 - 12:57 PM

My very best to you, Alison, and thinking of your Dad's spirit in a better place.

Ernie

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: KT
Date: 20 Nov 11 - 06:55 PM

My condolences, Alison. It sounds like you sent him on his way with a wonderful service. I'm tearing up here, just reading about the selection of music and imagining how beautiful it must have sounded. All the best to you and your family during this sad time.
KT

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: JennieG
Date: 21 Nov 11 - 12:18 AM

What a lovely way to honour your Dad!

Jennie

Subject: RE: Obit: alison's dad
From: GUEST,Wys
Date: 21 Nov 11 - 12:02 PM

(((alison)))

~Susan