My Great Grandfather

by Veronica on February 8, 2008

My Great Grandfather had a massive heart attack and died this morning, aged 81. He had been married to Nan for 54 years. She was devastated when I spoke to her earlier.

Honestly? I don’t think it has sunk in yet. I feel a bit numb still, even though I have been processing it for hours.
We had a brilliant Christmas here. Nan and Pop brought up loads of meat and Pop wouldn’t take no for an answer when he gave me all the leftovers to keep.

Nan and Pop

He joined in the cricket game and bowled like a champion. He even had a bat as well. For a man that was blind in one eye, he played a mean game of cricket.

Cricket

He would probably hate this photo of himself, but it captured the spirit of the day.

Thank you Pop for the wonderful memories, for showing me where to find the best raspberries when I was a kid, letting me eat all the black currants off the bush and laughing when I ate the jam cherries.

Thank you for the black currant bush that you grew especially for me. I plan to take it with me when I move.

Thank you for everything. You will be horribly missed.

Love Veronica, Nathan and Amy.

Pop

Jenty February 8, 2008 at 8:43 pm: I’m so sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.

Jenty’s last blog post..On the radio this morning
frogpondsrock February 8, 2008 at 8:43 pm: I love you Pumpkin… xoxoxox

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Karen (Misc Mum) February 8, 2008 at 9:05 pm: I’m so sorry xxxxxxxx

Karen (Misc Mum)’s last blog post..Uh-oh
Turner Family February 8, 2008 at 9:15 pm: We are so sorry to hear about your loss all our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family at this sad time.
Love Mark Anne Adam and Charlene
Bettina February 8, 2008 at 9:26 pm: I’m so sorry for your loss. My prayers for comfort and peace for you and your family at this time.

Bettina’s last blog post..Carrot greetings
Kelley February 8, 2008 at 10:21 pm: Hugs babe.

I never met my great grandparents. So wonderful that your got to meet Amy.

As I said to your mum, the pain will pass. And that photo of your GG father bowling is priceless.

Kelley’s last blog post..Rule 34 and Clinkers
Taz February 8, 2008 at 11:45 pm: aww..

big hugs hun..

so sorry to hear of his passing..

thinking of you..
maiden53 February 9, 2008 at 12:26 am: V- You really are so very lucky to have had him in your life… all of the precious memeories that you get to keep forever! I am glad that you have the bush to take with you to your new home – it will be like he is there, too.

maiden53’s last blog post..Life IS Good
witchypoo February 9, 2008 at 12:28 am: What an incredible spirit!
The bush is a good idea, and you can give slips to Amy when she moves to her own place as well.
You can bring him to you just by remembering how it felt to be around him.
He looks to be a man who would prefer you celebrate his life rather than mourn the end of it. He wants your Nan to be okay. She will need lots of attention after the rituals are over, her routine is so disrupted. My thoughts are with you.

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Jayna February 9, 2008 at 12:57 am: I’m deeply sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers for comfort and healing in this sad time.

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Lou February 9, 2008 at 1:06 am: I am so saddened to hear of your loss. He must have been a remarkable man. Look at you. Look at your Mum. We all owe him a lot.

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alejna February 9, 2008 at 1:29 am: I’m so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing your fond memories of him.

alejna’s last blog post..rats!
Burgh Baby's Mom February 9, 2008 at 1:41 am: Sorry for your loss.

*hugs*

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Candy February 9, 2008 at 2:02 am: He looks so vibrant in your pictures. What a great loss this must be. My condolences.

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Tasina February 9, 2008 at 2:19 am: What a sad day it’s been all around…lots of sadness on many blogs. I’m so sorry for your loss. It is nice that you were able to spend time during the holidays. *big hug*

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Old Knudsen February 9, 2008 at 3:39 am: He sounds like a real Greenman with a strong spirit, I’m sorry for your loss.

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badness jones February 9, 2008 at 4:03 am: Ah honey. I’m so so sorry for your loss. He looks like a wonderful man. My granddad died when I was 16 and I still miss him. I’ll be thinking of you and your family and your Nan. Big hugs.

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Angela February 9, 2008 at 4:26 am: Oh, so sorry to hear!
You and your family are in my thoughts!

Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos!

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Just a mom February 9, 2008 at 4:57 am: I am so sorry for your loss he looks like a great grandfather. I had one of those too. ((HUGS))

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Sandy (Momisodes) February 9, 2008 at 5:41 am: Veronica, I’m so very sorry for your loss. He really must have been remarkable to have such a special place in your heart….My thoughts are with you and your family.

*hugs*

Sandy (Momisodes)’s last blog post..Love or Redemption?
Marylin February 9, 2008 at 6:39 am: Oh I’m so sorry sweety. All my love to you and your family. xx

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talina February 9, 2008 at 7:51 am: Sorry hun… Loosing someone is hard but it’s so great to keep the wonderful memories alive. You photos of him are wonderful and make him appear very full of life and happy.

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Marie February 9, 2008 at 8:05 am: You are the fourth blogger I read who had lost someone this week. 🙁

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Stacey February 9, 2008 at 8:16 am: I am so very sorry. It must be devastating for you. I love the pictures, though; he seems like he was such a wonderful, spirited man. I will pray for you.

Stacey’s last blog post..Life has it’s downs.
Tiffany February 9, 2008 at 8:52 am: Oh Veronica,
I am so sad for you. There really are no words.
He must have been so proud of you.
Your tribute speaks volumes.

Hugs

Tiffany’s last blog post..Five things I have learnt today about toothpaste.
Tara February 9, 2008 at 9:15 am: Oh Veronica, I’m so sorry! I got all teary reading your post – very moving. You sound like an excellent great granddaughter – and how lucky you were able to cultivate such a relationship with him. Hugs!

Tara’s last blog post..7 Feb health update
julie February 9, 2008 at 10:48 am: I’m so sorry. I think that’s a great photo of him playing cricket, and great memories you have. I will be thinking of you and hoping you and your family find comfort in your memories and each other.

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LunaNik February 9, 2008 at 2:54 pm: I’m so sorry for your lose.

((hugs))

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river February 9, 2008 at 6:22 pm: Looking at those pictures I can see he was a wonderful man. He’ll never really be gone as long as you have your memories and photos. Give your Nan an extra hug from me.
Audra Marie February 10, 2008 at 9:33 am: I’m so sorry for your loss. 🙁
Leslie February 10, 2008 at 4:20 pm: Veronica, I’m so sorry. Your blog post and photos are a lovely tribute to him. I’m thinking of you and your family.

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Sarcastic Mom February 10, 2008 at 5:56 pm: Just now saw this. Tears and prayers for you and your family right now from here.

Love you.

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Laura McIntyre February 10, 2008 at 9:55 pm: Gosh hun im so sorry for you and your family, your poor Nan and what she must be feeling right now

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Ree February 11, 2008 at 4:56 am: Aw, honey, I’m so sorry. I’ve been terribly lax about reading recently, and so I missed this.

My heartfelt sympathy to you and yours. Grandparents are very special people. {{hugs}}

Ree’s last blog post..For Now – Until I’m Back Later
Karen MEG February 11, 2008 at 8:15 am: I’m so sorry I missed this, Veronica. My condolences to you and your family. What a handsome man, he sounded like a wonderful fellow. This was a beautiful photo tribute to him.

Karen MEG’s last blog post..Weekly Winners Ed. #11
Angie February 11, 2008 at 10:00 am: All the best to you and your family.*hugs*
Momo Fali February 11, 2008 at 11:51 am: Those photos are so beautiful. The one of him running made me cry.

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Nan February 11, 2008 at 11:51 am: Thank you Von, that was a lovely post, he would have been very proud of you, I know I am.
I love you heaps
Dawn February 11, 2008 at 12:10 pm: Aw man. He was RUNNING! Awesome that he was completely himself to the end.

Thinkin’ of you – and that a chocolate truck crashes in front of your house, leaving you the entire contents.

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Cat February 12, 2008 at 3:45 pm: I am so sorry to read your sad news… I am only now just catching up on blogs so I’m a few days late but many hugs and lots of cyber chocolate.

He sounds like he was a wonderful man!

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Gemisht February 13, 2008 at 10:07 pm: Just came here via Kelley’s place and read this. My thoughts are with you and your family. So very sorry to hear of your loss. He looks like an awesome Great Grandfather. Hugs to all. And I love the photo of him leaning on the fence. Without knowing him, it looks like it captures his real spirit. Keep him close to your heart and he will always be with you.
imaginary sarah February 15, 2008 at 8:00 am: I’m very sorry for your loss, Veronica. He looks like such a lively spirit! What a great man to have had in your life.

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