My Grandad died in Marie Curie Care hospice in Liverpool, thankfully close to his loving family in his final weeks. Marie Curie provided excellent and loving care to my grandad and we, the family, were extremley grateful for this. It is because of this that I have decided to run for Marie Curie as my chosen charity, as I believe all terminally ill patients should have the same excellent care that the charity provides.

Peter Hennessey was a husband of over 50 years to Patricia, had 4 children; Anthony, Chris, Andrew and Louise and through them 10 grandchildren. Andrew, Daniel, Olivia, Heather, Laura, Michael, Ruairí, Oisín, Cillian and myself. 

He was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in early 2010, an illness that came about due to his exposure to asbestos during his long working life in Liverpool. Sadly the disease escalated quickly and he was quickly taken away from us 4 months later on the 3rd July 2010. Thankfully he left everyone whose life he touched many fond memories. 

An active man throughout his life, my cousins and I all have great memories of our childhood adventures of our grandad spending hours on saturday mornings teaching us how to swim. As well as always talking to us about school and football and allowing myself and my cousins to have sleepovers in the spare bedroom every saturday night. 

My grandad had many past times in his life. He had a great love of comedy films, especially the works of Charlie Chaplin* (Another great memory for myself and my cousins) and Laurel and Hardy.. As a result of this he was always the joker, smiler and dancer at weekly family get togethers. 

So big was Peters character that he was still working on jobs only a year before he died, sadly not having long to enjoy his retirement to the fullest. During this period he also cared for his wife, and my nan, Pat throughout the period of her own failing health. Which made the swiftness of his death even more painful for myself and the family. 

Thank you for reading this, and once again I will appeal for you to donate to the good people at Marie Curie. They allow the passing of many people in pain to do so in as much comfort and love as possible, something that we all would wish for our loved ones. Finally in case anyone is worried about donationg online I can assure you  JustGiving is  totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.

Thanks again,

Seán Hennessey,

Grandson 

 

 

* An adorer of Chaplin, so much so that this song was played at his funeral http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu-rLA4POkI