Dad,
Your sudden passing in 2024 left us in an ocean of emotions, not quite ready to be there and not quite ready to say goodbye. You left a void in us all and the world is lighter without your presence.
We honour you here with the Mumufication because you enjoyed being part of a community, being creative and a YES man.

You shared with us your strong family values – connections that have only grown stronger since your passing, never have my sister and I felt more secure, held by your siblings – Sandra, Barry and Jo.

You shared your love for Padstow Mayday, the Cornish pasty and to stop to listen to the Skylarks in the sanddunes of Tregirls.

When he first brought me to Padstow for mayday over 20 years ago, he inspired a need for tradition in me, a grounding and placement of where he/we were from. He was so happy to share this with me and friends.
Each year I looked forward to seeing old and new faces with him walking around town, just popping in for a cuppa like no time had ever passed. I remember the first few years walking around the narrow streets of Padstow where some of the older local ladies would shout out- is that Maureen’s boy?! Which was strange as dad had always been an adult in my eyes, not the young boy in the 1950s.
I once managed to rent out the old family home where dad was born- an open house for all my friends to come and stay and feel the magic of this very special day in the Padstow calendar. I had told dad he was to only stay 2 nights as there was no room for him. Unbeknown to me he had brought his own Z bed and set up his own bedroom in the kitchen pantry. Never one to be left out he stayed the whole time, becoming a fixture every year staying with us (and yes I gave him his own room after that!) my friends were his friends- if you were on Facebook you would received a friend request- there was no stopping him!

Dad, your sense of adventure, open to new experiences and saying yes to your girls has meant so much to us and with this you always brought your sense of humour – to laugh with others and at yourself – now fondly remembered in NZ as uncle Diesel, after a rather unfortunate car issue.

You were a father to us but also a dad to others, working in probation before retirement, Seeing the person in front of him, treating them with dignity and respect, understanding the challenge and wanting them to break the cycle -wanting them to do better for themselves.

Moving back to Cornwall ment you could go back to your roots, be closer to family, and relax.

He taught us the importance of resilience, the power of kindness, the value of integrity and to never fully trust your sat nav.

You left us smiling (or groaning) from his dad jokes and dodgy dress sense, rich in his wisdom and in peace with the family- you kept us all together.
Dad, you left too soon, but you left living life the way you wanted, you left without pain, you left in love.
For that I am so happy for you, that is a blessing.
We are so honoured to have called you our son, father, our brother, husband, our friend.
Forever grateful.
Forever loved.

Not goodbye but thank you,

Rest in peace dad.

Padstow May Day Song:

Unite and unite and let us all unite,
For summer is acome unto day,
And whither we are going we will all unite,
In the merry morning of May.
Oss Oss, Wee Oss!