When I was thinking about Dad's eulogy I reflected on to how to celebrate a long and full life that encompassed 95 years and 10 decades. He lived through many historical events such as the Great Depression, the Second World War, Queen Elizabeth's coronation and the Sixties and saw massive changes in the country, including the introduction of commercial airlines, television and computers. Indeed Dad would have been amazed that he now has a memorial webpage.

Dad did not have an easy childhood as his Mum died when he was young and he and his younger sister and brother were largely brought up by his grandparents in Surrey whilst his father worked. Despite this he talked fondly of those times and they gave him a strong work ethic and sense of duty in helping to look after his siblings. He did not have an extensive formal education and left school at 14 to start work. When World War 2 broke out in 1939 he tried to join the Army even though he was 17 and underage. Although he did enlist he was held back from overseas duty until 1942 when he served in North Africa and then Italy. On being demobbed in 1945 he joined the paint company that he was to work for until he retired, first in London and then in Yorkshire where we moved to in 1962. We have been in the same house since it was completed in 1963 and over the years Dad rose up in his company through hard work and his friendly personality. In the 55 years that Dad was in Yorkshire he grew to love the county, its people and also its scenery and made many friends. In later life there was nothing he liked more than a drive in the Dales or in the North York Moors, particularly if it was accompanied by a pub lunch and a pint or two of local ale.

However, he never forgot his childhood and both he and my Mum worked hard and sacrificed a lot to ensure that I had a good education and access to greater opportunities than they had. I will always be immensely grateful for their help and support which meant that I was the first member of our family to go to university and get a degree and later a doctorate. Throughout my childhood Dad always told me that you should always do your best but that nobody could expect more. However, he also liked a laugh and taught me that it was important not to take things too seriously. He also always treated people the same way irrespective of who they were which again is something that I have tried to apply in my life.

As I mentioned we have received many cards and messages from family and friends which have shown how many peoples lives that Dad touched. Since his retirement in 1986 Dad devoted a lot of time to looking after his garden, but was always happy to share his knowledge and plants with others. Talking with neighbours in recent days I have been amazed how many have plants that Dad gave them in their gardens and how widely spread across the country these have ended up. He enjoyed being out in the front of the house and having a chat with friends and neighbours as they walked by. He also passed on some of his knowledge to me when his health deteriorated so that I was able to look after the gardens. However, he was always in charge and he could spot a weed from 10 yards even when sitting and supervising from his recliner in the house.

Before I finish I would like to thank everyone who knew Dad for their love and support through his life and at this difficult time. I would particularly like to thank:

His brother Doug and his wife June and the relatives of his late sister Joan who could not be here today;

All our neighbours both past and present who have always looked out for Dad, particularly in his later years before I came home to care for him full time;

Sue from Leeds Shared Lives who came to sit and chat with my Dad each Wednesday afternoon so that I had a small break when I was caring for him full time;

All the staff at the Harrogate Road Surgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals and the District Nurses who in recent years have provided Dad with excellent care and support and, along with St Gemmas, were able to get him home in his final days where he wanted to be.

I would also like to thank everyone who has organised and attended this Service of Celebration today, in particular the Reverend Kaye and the staff at William Dodgson for their kind support and assistance.

Finally Dad I was lucky to have been able to be with you in your later years and spend time together. Rest in peace now, I will miss you but you and Mum are together again and I know your spirit will always be with us.