My beloved father passed away last week. He was 84 years old.
Despite health issues and some memory loss, he lived at home his entire life, supported, cared for, and deeply loved by my beautiful mother. A bad fall put him into hospital in July, and he slipped away 22 days later, very, very gently, with Mum, my sister Cynthia, Pete and I by his side. We like to think that he fell asleep and woke up in heaven.
Dad lived a rich, full life. I love the photo of him above, taken in the 60s, partying hard with a whisky and a cigarette, both in the same hand. He had a smile that could light up a room, and a laugh that could fill it. Despite being a shrewd businessman, he had an incredibly soft heart, helping an enormous number of family, friends and even complete strangers over the course of his long life.
He was honestly the best father ever. He and I were particularly close and would talk every day. He would tell me how happy he was, how well Mum was looking after him, how much he loved us, how proud he was of us. I can’t begin to tell you how empowering it was to hear that every single day.
Dad was always a very happy man, but when he was with his grandchildren, the joy would literally shine from his face. They brought him more happiness than should have been possible. He delighted in every little and big thing they did, and he was incredibly proud of each and every one of them.
Dad’s funeral was just three days after he passed away, but it was full of friends and family, several of whom had flown in from overseas. It was a testament to the high esteem in which he was held, and the deep intensity with which he was loved.
Rest in peace, wonderful man. I will miss you desperately. ♥
Sending you loads of love Celia. xxx
May his memory be eternal.
oh my I am so sad to hear that celia. all the best to you and your family. thinking of you at this difficult time. how we miss our loved ones when they are gone. a gap that is hard to fill. xxx
Sending my sincere condolences…losing a parent is extremely difficult.
What a beautiful message, I can imagine from your words what kind of person he was. He lives on in all those memories. x
My thoughts are with you. My lovely father died several years ago at the age of 80 and I miss him every day. Weren’t we blessed to have the very best fathers? Your Dad will be with you forever in your heart.
I’m so, so sorry to hear that Celia. Sending you lots of loving thoughts and hoping you can take some comfort in your beautiful memories.
What a beautiful man, and such love from him and for him. He would have touched everyone, and so lives on in them, and especially with you. Big hugs to you.
I am so sorry for your loss, Celia. Thinking of you so far away.
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Celia, what a wonderful man and great legacy. sorry for your loss . I’m sure he’s in a better place.
Hugs and love to you, my friend across the ocean. Sending my best thoughts your way, Maz. <3
Oh Celia, I feel for you and understand……..be well my friend. He is still with you………hugs!
Thinking of you and your family, Celia
You and your family are in my prayers, and you are correct when you say he woke up in Heaven.
my thoughts are with you and your family.
What a beautiful tribute to your dad. My heartfelt condolences to you.
Celia: I am so very sorry you have lost your Daddy. It is never easy, even when you see them suffering, it is still a great loss and shock. Know that I am praying for you and your family.
God Bless
Charlie(female)
How very sad. so sorry for you all. lots of love, Lynda
My Dad died not quite a year ago at 91. He is missed everyday. It feels so strange to be “the oldest generation”. It’s the circle of life and it turns way too fast. My thoughts are with you and your family.
What a lovely tribute to an obviously much loved and loving father – take care Celia and enjoy your happy memories at this sad time.
so sad to hear that Celia – both my parents are gone and even though I didn’t have the best relationship with either of them I miss them every day. Thinking of you and your family with love
So sorry for you Celia. Lots of love.
A beautiful tribute to your beloved father. He has passed so much on to you Celia- I can not only see a strong physical resemblance, but I believe his generous and loving spirit resides in you too. Now he is at peace.x
Celia my thoughts are with you and your family. What a lovely tribute to your Dad you really can see his joy in those photos’s. I know nothing replaces the loss so hold on to those wonderful memories and I’m sure he is always around you. We lost my Dad 2 years ago but I still can feel his presence and we keep his memory alive through talking about him. x
Truly such a wonderful gift your Dad gave you by loving you and living with integrity and joy. My deep sympathies and love to you and your family. xx
I am so sorry for your loss, Celia. The love you have for your father and positivity he imbibed in you in so evident in this post. Living by the values our parents taught us is the greatest of tributes we can pay our parents. Take care
Beautiful tribute to your wonderful Dad… may his soul rest in peace. Sending you lots of hugs Celia xx
Big hugs to you, my friend. xxx
Beautiful memories
I would wish that we would all be so loved by so many. My sympathies to you and yours.
I’m very sorry to hear your sad news. Out thoughts are with you xxx
A beautiful tribute to your Dad. Sending you love and hugs. Am very sorry for your loss x
I knew you were going to compose a wonderful tribute to your Dad, but your text left me in tears and was more intense and deeper than I expected. You look a lot like him.. I love the picture with the cigarette… he is the picture perfect of a happy man..
I know what you mean by “desperately missing him”
it does get easier as the years pass, but… the first 12 months are hard. Each season.
a warm hug going your way….
So sorry for you loss! Thinking of you a d your family. Take one day at a time.
Celia, from your post it is apparent that your dad was a blessed man. He had a long fulfilled life and a loving family. From my experience, those so blessed deserve their blessings many fold. The loss of such people is tortuously hard but I am confident, with the support of your own loving family, you will endure. You clearly take after him, not just in looks. xxx
I am so sorry Celia for you, for your mother and all his family. I am sure his love will wrap around you forever.
Sorry to hear about your loss. The condolences from far and wide attest to your wonderful skills at community-building through your blog. Your father sounds like a special person. He will live on through you.
So terribly sorry for your families loss dear Celia….what a gift you had in him and you can all cherish those wonderful memories. Hugs, Jan x
Beautiful tribute Celia. Thank you for sharing. Thinking of you and your loved ones. xx
What beautiful, happy photos Celia, he certainly looks like a man who lived life to the fullest. How wonderful your boys are to have grown up with such an amazing grandfather in their lives as well, a true blessing to both generations. I’m so sorry for your loss dear heart, it must be raw and deep. I do hope your mother is coping, she must be so grateful for you guys in her time of need. I wish I could bring you hugs and casseroles, instead I send my love and prayers xo xo
My deepest condolences to you and your family. When the pain abates as time passes you will still retain the most wonderful memories of times past . . . . I so feel for your mother . . . .
What a beautiful tribute – what a wonderful man! So sorry that he is gone. I hope your memories of him sustain you.
Please accept my deepest condolences Celia. I am thinking of you and your family at this very sad time.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. He will live on through you and your boys and your wonderful philosophy on life.
What a beautiful post and lovely way to share your father. I am sorry for your loss he sounds like a wonderful man who will be missed greatly. Take comfort in your memories and know that many people are thinking of you right now.
Your memories will never fade, love to you at this time.
May Our Lord Jesus comfort you and your family Celia. Your words are beautiful and make me want to appreciate the precious time I have with my own father more. Hugs to you my friend. xx
I am so sorry for your loss. It is always too soon to lose a parent, especially one as special as your father was – and is – for you. I lost my mother 32 years ago, and I still miss her, but the pain of loss has softened, and the best memories have come to the fore. I hope that the support and love your family shows each other will help to ease the grief.
I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad, what a lovely tribute.
Jason xx
Celia I am so very sorry that your Dad has passed away, please accept my deepest sympathy to you, Pete, the boys, your Mum and sister Cynthia. I still miss my Dad (he passed away in 1999) and think of him every day, I promise you there is enormous comfort in loving memories. Be gentle with yourself.
What a beautiful tribute, so sorry for your loss.
Beautiful tribute to a most gracious and loving man. I mourn, I celebrate with you. May peace and comfort sit upon your doorstep.
Dearest Celia, What a beautiful tribute to your darling dad. He must have been so proud of you and Cynthia and his beloved grandchildren. Like you, I can see he had a huge and generous heart, and lived his life to the full. May the wonderful memories you have of him bring you comfort. Love and hugs, Jaqi xx
Sending you big hugs Celia. And may the good memories give you joy in such a sad time. You are so lucky to have had a father like him he sounds awesome. Lots of love xx Moya
So very sorry for your loss. Your memories and love for your father and the pictures you shared are so filled with life and love. Prayers for you and your family and sending much love and kind thoughts as well. I love you, Celia!
My deepest sympathy for your loss. My thoughts are with and all of your family.
So sorry for your loss Celia. My condolences to you and your family. Hopefully the strong memories of happy times will lessen the pain.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family now and in the coming months. Lovely that you can share your stories of his life. Take care. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Celia. You father sounds like a most incredible man not only as a husband and a father but also as a businessman. I know you will miss him terribly. Best wishes to you and your sister and mother and children at this time xx
I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved Dad, Celia. What a wonderful legacy he has left – to be so loved and so loving. Our love to you and your family, Jan
I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers to you and your family.
I am very sorry for your loss
So so sorry to hear that. My father died almost 8 years ago and the hole is so huge. I now buy myself a present every year on his birthday – am sure he would approve – and hope that you can find some time to be quiet and remember all the moments that help shaped you, and smile through the tears. x
So beautiful Celia. I’m confident your father will continue to shine his smile, happiness and love from above. Best wishes. X
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Dear Celia, you were blessed to have such a wonderful father. His love of life clearly shows in what you say and in the few pictures posted. He fully realised he was living a beautiful life. What a gift. This gift he has been able to pass on to the family he helped create, guide abd adore. He has left an eternal imprint on your life, your mind and especially your heart. And, because of this he will always be there. Be gentle with yourself and rest. Time passes. xxx
I’m sorry to hear about your loss, condolences to you and your family
Oh Celia, I am so very very sorry, I am thinking of you all and sending lots of love xxx
Thank-you Celia for a moving honouring of your beloved Dad. Now is the time for you to grieve with your wonderful memories and loving hearts.
Love and Hugs,
Petaxo
My heart goes out to you and your family, Celia. Your father sounds like a wonderful man and I’m sure he will be deeply missed.
Celia, your photos show such love and joy, a wonderful combination in a father, grandfather, husband and friend. You were all lucky to have him so long, the memories will stay with you always.
You are so lucky to have had such a great Dad. There is nothing that can stop the pain of such heartbreak. I hope you can spend as much time as possible with your family who must also be devastated That tribute was so beautifully written Celia, he would be very very proud right now.
What a touching tribute and how blessed you and your family were to have such a loving Dad. Treasure all the wonderful memories and love he shared with you
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Your post is beautiful tribute to him and I’m sure he would be very proud.
A beautiful tribute to your father, Celia. He will live on forever in your hearts. Sending my deepest sympathy and warmest hugs your way.
Beautiful people make more beautiful people. Your dear father obviously invested a lot of love, care, respect and consideration in raising you Celia. You are the wonderful woman you are now because of this investment. My thoughts are with you, it is not a nice place to be in but let your family wrap you with their love. As will we.
I am so sorry Celia. No words are ever sufficient. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. My prayers are with your father and you.
All the best for you and your family during this challenging time Celia. It’s great that you have many fond memories of your Dad and that he knew he was so well loved. He certainly looks quite the character in that top photo! Much love to you and your family. Fiona xxx
I am so sorry for your loss, Celia. My sincere condolences to you and your family. What a lovely tribute to your dear father. Xx
so sorry dear Celia, My prayers are for your father, and for you, love, nia
That is a lovely tribute to your dad Celia. No matter how old we are when they die we always miss our parents terribly. You have loads of wonderful memories of him so he will never truly be gone. Love to you and yours.
Celia, I’m so, so sorry to hear you have lost your father. Even without your lovely tribute we would all realise how wonderful he must have been to produce such a loving, generous daughter in you. Thinking of you, your mother, sister, Pete and the boys. Beck
Celia – my heart goes out to you and your family. What a wonderful loving tribute you paid to your father – Hugs – Carina
This is a beautiful tribute Celia, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you xx
Such lovely memories that you can hold through your long and healthy life.
as i say they are never gone when we remember them and remembering the best parts is full of joy ,peace to you and your family
Celia, so many beautiful thoughts and condolences have been shared here and I hope they bring you comfort and peace. Deepest sympathy to you and your family from Russ ‘n’ me. Your Dad sounded like a wonderful man. Hugs. xo
Your dad sounds like he was a truly wonderful man. Luckily you have so many happy memories to continue to share with your family. Clearly the apple didn’t fall far from the tree as you are also a wonderful person.
My sincerest condolences to you and your family
Love Tony
Celia , my sincere condolences you and your family.
My condolences Celia, obviously a loved and cherished father and grandfather. Lots of precious memories to hold dear.
Thinking of you and your family. Your photos are very special. May your memories of your wonderful father bring you peace during this difficult time.
My mother too passed away recently. Death isn’t an easy topic, but I also felt compelled to write about her in my last blog post. I love how you described your dad’s face around his grandchildren. What love! May you always remember that joy, xxoo
I’m sorry for your loss, Celia; I’m sure all the family will miss his huge presence. I hope all the happy memories you have will eventually help to ease the pain you feel at the moment.
I am so sorry for your loss Celia. You write such a moving tribute to him that I know he was a well loved and respected man. May you keep the wonderful memories of him close to your heart.
So very, very sorry for your loss. My father died many years ago, and I miss him still.
Celia, I am so sorry for your loss. Lovely words you have written, sounds like you had a very special relationship with your father. There is not much that one can say in times like these but thinking of you and sending love your way xo
My very deepest sympathy to you and your family, Celia. So glad you were all there at his side. What a wonderful tribute to an obviously warm and loving man. He will live on in your memories and stories as well as in his grandchildren.
Celia, your heartfelt words portray a kind and loving man. A sad loss for your family. Sending you much love. Both of my parents died many years ago, but they live on in wonderful memories.
Dear Celia, My deepest sympathies to you and your family. Sending you much love.
Oh Celia, sending you and your family love at this difficult time. This post is a beautiful tribute.
Your post sounds just like the one I wrote for my Dad who passed away Christmas eve. Bless you and yours, all we can do is keep those very special memories alive in honour of great souls. My Mum followed Dad 4 months later, that wonderful relationship was just too much to keep missing for her poor chook. They still watch over us :)
Celia, I am so sorry for your loss and my thoughts are with you and your family over this difficult period. Rest in peace to your father xo
I’m sorry for your loss, Celia. The love in your relationship comes through so clearly in your post, it’s beautiful. :)
I am sorry you lost your dad Ms Celia :(
Dear Celia, sending my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Your Dad’s love shines through you Celia and will continue so through your sons. Beautiful.
Ah Celia, so sorry to hear about your lovely Dad. What a nice tribute you have written xx
To be so loved is the greatest of gifts, I am sorry for your loss and for your mother and sister and all your family and friends who knew and cherished your father. He sounds the most wonderful of fathers xxx Jo
Sorry for your loss Celia. I can see where you got your beaming smile and wonderful positive outlook on life from! It’s good that he had his loved ones there with him when he slipped away peacefully.
Dear Celia, I’m so very sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. I can feel the warmth in his smile from this pictures you’ve posted. A smile that I must say you have inherited, warm with an impish twist. My condolences to you and your family, our prayers are with you all at this time. xo
Celia, I am so very sorry to hear that you have lost such a wonderful, supportive and kind father, but what a precious “parting” to be surrounded by those you love most in the world, and as you say, just going to sleep and waking up in heaven. A peaceful departure for a very well-loved man. I’m sure the coming days are going to be hard for you all as you adjust to not having that special phone call each day. I hope the memory and warmth of that handsome smile will continue to bring you joy. ox
I thought I was over the loss of my Father, it has been just over two years… this is not the case, After reading about your recent loss, it comes flooding back, just how important a parent is in your life and the hole that is left once they depart. Thank you so much for sharing Celia, sometimes we all need reminding just how precious life is and how lucky we are to have those people around us sharing their love.
I am so sorry for your loss Celia, sending you and your family my love.
Such beautiful words Celia. It is never easy saying goodbye to anyone let alone the ones we have admired and adored, our hero’s… My sincere and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family during this very sad and difficult time. xoxo
Condolences celia. It sounds like this is a huge loss for you and your family. I am sending warm wishes to you and yours as you in remembering and grieving your father. He sounds like a great person. I hope your mother is doing ok as this must be a difficult time for her.
My deepest sympathy, Celia. Sending you and your loved ones much love at this difficult time. May your dear Dad be at peace.
I wish I could add a “love” (rather than a “like”) to the thoughts shared here.
My deepest condolences to you and your family, take comfort in knowing he is smiling down on you like the warmth of the sun.
Sorry to hear that Celia. Wishing you much peace during this hard time xxx
Oh Celia I am so sorry to read this news. My very deep condolences to you and your family…..what a wonderful man your Beloved Father was….I’m sure his Spirit will always be by your side.
You are now passing this extraodinary trait from your amazing father to your boys where you empower them just as he did you on how proud of them you are.Our thoughts are with you and all of your family!xx
You paint a beautiful picture of your dad. Take care during this sad time
Celia, I am so sorry to hear about your dad. He sounds like he was an amazing man. God bless you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Celia – he sounds like a peach! I’m so glad you have such wonderful memories but I know you will miss him greatly. Hugs to you and your family.
hi celia, my condolences to you and your family. One feels the deep respect your dad commanded and the close relationship you had with him. You were lucky to have each other. Take care.
Oh darling, I came home and saw this and I’m so sorry to hear about your father’s passing. I know he meant so very much to you and I can’t imagine how you feel. Lots of love and hugs, Lorraine xxx
You are never grown up enough to lose your Dad. You will remember him always.
Darling Celia, Peter and I were truly saddened to hear that your beloved dad had passed away. Please accept our sincerest sympathies and huge virtual hugs. (Thank you for sharing your treasured family photographs. I love the top one). Much love xxxxxx
Dearest Celia, I am sending you my sincere condolences…x So sorry to read this.
My condolences Celia, your Dad sounds like an amazing person and your photos of him are precious. You can see his happiness you’ve described so beautifully.
So sorry darling – how did i miss this.. I love the pictures of him.. love that you loved him.. love that he loved you and your children too.. god bless darling.. c
Dear Celia. So sorry to hear that you’ve lost your lovely Dad. Sending you hugs.
I’m thinking of you, Celia. He sounds like a wonderful father.
He sounds such a lovely man, kind, clever, full of joy in life and in his family and friends, full of love. I am so sorry for your loss. x
I’m sorry for your loss Celia, he sounds like a lovely man who will be deeply missed.
Celia. I just read this and I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. He looked like he had a very sweet spirit and soul. He lives on in your children and you I guess xxx. How reassuring that he was loved and looked after.
Lara
Thank you all, each and every one of you, for your incredibly kind comments and wishes. Each one felt like a warm hug. Dad was the most beautiful man and I miss him terribly, but there is so much comfort in knowing that he was incredibly fulfilled and content with his life. Thank you again for all your love and support. xxx
Celia, I just read your post about the passing of your dad. You were surrounded by his love in your life and that’s the most precious gift he gave you.
My condolences, Celia. :(