In Memory of David Graham - 1945 to 2009

Some of you may well ask why I haven't blogged in so long. It's a valid question, with one big answer... there have been many personal things going on this year that didn't seem appropriate to write about (in case of upset to those involved) and it also felt inappropriate to ignore these things in my writing.

June and July were tough months for the whole family. Unfortunately, Fi's father, David, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer at the end of last year. It was incredibly sad to watch an old friend and father become steadily weaker and more frail when you know that there is no cure and nothing that you can do to help. Fi was spending every second weekend in Crawley to be with her family while I "held the fort" back here in Switzerland. Being appart is never easy, however, under the circumstances it was even harder to bear.

It is also a very strange sensation when you are on one side so happy about the future birth of your son and on the other so sad for the loss of a loved family member. We decided very early that our son's middle name would be Wallace in order to maintain the family line from the Graham's.

David passed away peacefully at home. He was only 63. It was a great comfort to the whole family that David was able to spend his last days close to his family and surrounded by the things that were most dear to him. With 24 hour nursing care it was good to see that David always had someone close to him and it was also a great relief to the family who coped so well throughout demonstrating their strength and closeness as a unit. David leaves behind his wife Margaret, his Daughters Fiona and Jenny and his Son Alisdair.

Although a sad event, David's funeral was very well attended. The list of attendees really showed how active David had been in life as a cyclist, drummer, environmentalist, campaigner, and above all dedicated family man. The service was beautiful and included a recording of "Morning has broken" from David's most recent jazz band. They went on to play at the wake which was held at long term friend Chris' pub in East Grinstead.

My memories of David are varied but are all good! From the times when he looked after us youngsters on the Crawley Wheelers clubruns (buying us beer and laughing when we crashed on the way home!) to recent times drinking beer in the sun on the Rigi in Switzerland. David was always supportive of Fi and me and always full of useful advise while never forcing his opinion on others. David was never afraid to embrace new technology and could always keep up in the technology race with Alasdair. We could all learn from him.

I am fairly sure that where ever David is, he will have internet access! So remember, my old freind, you may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. Not by your family, not by your friends and not by your gandchildren! Shine on.