In his later life it became apparent that Dad was becoming increasingly forgetful and confused. As his condition deteriated my Mum found it difficult to cope with him at home especially as she was "no spring chicken herself" and was still recovering from two operations. Eventually after many years of devoted caring for him at home and after my Dad had had a number of falls and had gone walkabout in the town my Mum sadly agreed that Dad needed round the clock specialist care and he moved into a nursing home where he lived for the last three years of his life. In the three years he live there my Mum got the bus up to visit him three to four times a week and take him the chocolate that he loved. Despite his dementia and all the problems associated with it my Dad remained in relative good health right up to the end although he was becoming increasingly frail, (especially in the last year). He never seemed unhappy when I visited him so I think he was well looked after by the care workers and we are all thankful that he died very suddenly from a heart attack as he did not suffer unnecessarily. Obviously the news has come as a shock to all of us but it has also brought us closer together. Although he never talked about it we all knew that my Dad had troubled past that clearly affected him; a traumatic early childhood and the loss of his only brother, Ted, (who was killed in the war) were compounded by mental illness; manic depression, (or bipolar disorder as it is now known) which my Dad had for much of his adult life. So for my Dad the struggle is finally over and he can at last rest in peace. My Mum, (who didn't exactly have an easy life with Dad) remained loyal and devoted to him right to the very end. When the news came of his passing Mum was on a rare four night break in Pagham, (near Chichester) with myself, Kay and Kay's Mum, (Jean). We had only been there one night when the news came the next afternoon. We came back the following day where my family converged to comfort Mum and each other in her home in Maidstone. My eldest brother Edward flew back from his home in Portugal and helped Mum with all the funeral arrangements and the unavoidable paperwork and bureacacy which accompany any death. My Dad's funeral was delayed by a week as a post mortem was required which is standard procedure in all sudden deaths but my sister Sarah liased both with the nursing home and the coroner. The funeral took place at Vinters Crematorium Wednesday 14th July at 10.15. It was a lovely service and a fitting tribute. Both my brothers John and Peter said a few words by way of introducing two pieces of music that we all associate with Dad's memory and summed up the two sides to Dad, both his tremendous personal struggles and his undoubted sense of fun and humour! The two music pieces were "Ole Man River" by Paul Robeson which was played as my Dad's coffin was carried into the Chapel and "Bring me Sunshine" by Morecambe and Wise which was played at the end of the service. After the service all my family went on to a nearby hotel to be together. My Dad is sadly missed my Mum; Doris, my 3 brothers; Edward, John, Peter and my 3 sisters Susan, Sarah, Wendy. As well as 7 Children my Dad had 15 Grandchildren; Helen, James, Simon, David, Paul senior, Jamie, Paul junior, Gemma, Kaylee, Mark, Howard, Alice, Owain, Harriet and Georgina and 5 Great Grandchildren; Joseph, Maisy, Lucas, Finley and Primrose Goodbye Dad, may you rest in peace. If I were not your youngest son I would have wanted to have been your friend. Though you are no longer with us your family remains both your lasting legacy and living memorial. We shall think of you often and love you always. Goodnight and God bless. x Denis Leslie Everitt 12th May 1926 to 29th June 2010