So tomorrow is dad's funeral.
I'll be doing his eulogy.
For those that can't make it to the service, or funeral, here is the eulogy.
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Hello Friends, and hello Dad.
Let me speak for your four wonderful children Nick, Phil, Chris and Marianne and your eight grandchildren Jessica, Billy, Maddie, Angus, Blake, Dexter, Ellie and Bodhi.
Dad, you and Mum were married for over 50 years, you set the bar high with consistent commitment, connection, love and unity, and above all you relentlessly shared your life with your friends and family.
Dad, you prefer singing than to be silent.
You said it was easier to get enthusiastic about singing because you'd always feel like you could do your bit.
Well, Dad, you've done your bit, so let me take over from here.
In order to prepare this speech, I re-read lots and lots of notes from Dad, and notes from his friends to get a general picture of how Dad was regarded.
A great family man with tireless commitment and unwavering dedication, a larger-than-life character seems to have been the words people most connected with him.
A great leader also rang a lot of bells. He was so very committed and dedicated to his clubs and groups.
On the other hand, as a family, we knew him as a fun and caring dad, an adventurer, and a bit of a silly fool if I'm be honest, which I think he would have thought a good summary of his best bits.
You might have experienced him as the dancing horse for the Morris men, a rather strange commitment but one he dedicated 100% of himself to.
I think his dancing was more a gentle hop, his horse's head perhaps just a mask to give him the chance to live in a wonderous imaginary world.
Most of all, we seem to all think Dad, Denis, Coco the Clown, and Den Den had an enormous capacity for giving.
And expecting nothing in return.
I hope giving, joyful and larger than life is how you will all remember him.
Not gone, silent, only to be found near the church altar resting in a box.
Pick your favourite moment of him and remember him that way.
The most giving, caring, big-hearted, larger-than-life character, and funny fool any of us would meet.
As a family, we've pondered how we will remember him, well Dad had a passion for song and often said he had an Irish leg and loved the Dubliners...
So I'm going to hand it over to them for the last words.
Feel free to join in.
I've been a wild rover for many's the year
And I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer
But now I'm returning with gold in great store
And I never will play the wild rover no more
And it's no, nay, never
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
------------ this is around 3-4mins----- so will stop after verse one.
I went to an alehouse I used to frequent
I told the landlady my money was spent
I ask her for credit, she answered me nay
Such a custom as yours I can have any day
And it's no, nay, never
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
I brought from me pocket ten sovereigns bright
And the landlady's eyes opened wide with delight
She said:'I have whiskeys and wines of the best
And the words that you told me were only in jest'
And it's no, nay, never
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
I'll go home to my parents, confess what I've done
And I'll ask them to pardon their prodigal son
And when they've caressed me, as oft times before
I never will play the wild rover no more
And it's no, nay, never
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
And it's no, nay, never
No, nay never no more
Will I play the wild rover
No never no more
-------
And I'll read it in today's podcast
Here's today's podcast
Phil
Founder of All Gardening
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The Growing All Gardening podcast with Phil Argent.
Short personal stories, moments, ideas discussed.
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