It's really hard to put into words all the amazing things I want to say about my Grandad.

He was one of a kind, a man like no other. He has shown us the meaning of true love, through the love he has poured into his family as well as the unwavering love he had for my Grandma through almost 60 years of marriage. He was a true gent, always putting others first & truly setting the bar high.

My Grandparents were childhood sweethearts, meeting in their early teens and going on to travel the world as a military family from Singapore to Germany.

My Grandad played football for the combined services all over the world and competed for them in athletics. It’s clear where our love of sports & staying active came from. He was an inspiration, and always will be.

My Grandad was forever the joker, he had a fantastic sense of humour and could always find a way to make you smile, even if you really didn’t feel like it. He was magic.

He was our go to guy, our problem solver, our ‘no ask is too big’, our logical thinker, and our rock. He was always there when we needed him, and would drop everything to be there for his family. From rescuing my Uncle John & his pals from Blackpool when their car broke down, to being my mams support team & transport for the Ultras she completed, to the countless lifts he gave me & my friends to school & work when my time keeping made us all late. You always had our back.

I’m so grateful for all the wonderful memories I have with both Grandparents growing up. As my parents were very young when I came along I spent a lot of my childhood with Johnny & Nita as their little third wheel & they often referred to me as their youngest child. From trips to the beach to collect hermit crabs for a primary school project ( which my Grandad kept safe in a blue Walls ice cream tub before returning them safely after my show and tell), to exploring the treasures of a Sunday car-boot sale & sharing a cup of tea in the car whilst we waited an eternity for my Grandma to intently look at every single stall, my Grandad really had a way of making everything feel so magical and exciting.

The past few years have been incredibly difficult for the family since both Grandparents Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Watching my Grandad deteriorate rapidly the past couple of months has been heartbreaking, and although our hearts ache for the loss we have suffered, we take comfort in knowing that he is no longer suffering & no longer in pain.

In the early hours of Friday 19th January 2024, my grandad Johnny slipped away in his sleep after being put on end of life care only a couple of days prior. He held on whilst family made their way to be by his side to hold his hand and say our goodbyes. Telling him how much we loved him, sharing our favourite memories & letting him know that he can rest easy now, we will take care of Grandma for him.

Our Johnny, forever the optimist, a man who could light up a room with his wit and humour, made it his life’s work to go above and beyond for his family.

In the words of our Johnny ‘every day you wake up is a good day’.

We will continue to try & not take life too seriously Grandad, remember to have fun & we will look after each other.

Until we meet again. All our love, always & forever. To the moon & back xxxx

I will be taking part in this years Berlin marathon, raising money for Alzheimer’s research UK so hopefully one day other families don’t have to go through the ‘long goodbye’ with their loved ones. Any donations in Johnnys memory would be greatly appreciated. Thank you x

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