My Dad - 31.5.1930 - 13.8.2012

[Louzie0]

My dad died yesterday at 6.30 am.
He grew up in Small Heath but remarkably was a Villa fan! (Must have been a bit of a tough guy in his youth, but we knew him as a quiet, witty and very gentle man.)  His father worked for the club in the 40's and 50's and Dad went along as a child and then kept up the interest, even when he worked overseas. He took me and my brother along to VP for the first time in the 70's (I was very little!) and took his grandsons along during the 90's.
Dad got a season ticket from us all as a retirement present and we held his 70th birthday in The Corner Flag.

I went to matches with him up till a few years ago, when his general state of health got too bad for him to walk to his seat - he used the lift to get up to the right level in the Witton Lane (DE) Stand for a few years. 

He enjoyed watching bits of AVTV I found online for him and getting the signed ball auctioned on here at the end of last season for his birthday this year. Unfortunately the combination of steadily worsening breathing problems and an aggressive, fast-developing liver cancer over the last 6 weeks has ensured that that was his last birthday, but as he said last week, he did see the last FA cup final and will carry on cheering the Villa from Up There in the sky.

I am finding that there is a massive gap in my life right now, without him.  Goodbye Dad, and thanks.

 

[cdbearsfan]

Sorry for your loss.

[CorkVilla]

Very sorry to hear that. Nicely written piece... R.I.P.

[berneboy]

God rest his soul.

My sympathies are with you.

I lost my Dad (a Villan) a while ago and it hurts and I miss him still.

[Colhint]

So sorry for your loss, very thoughtful words. God bless

[Tucson Villain]

Sorry for your loss.

[Broughty-Villian]

Condolences Louzie0.

[dave shelley]

My condolences to you and your family Louzie0, my thoughts are with you.

[BC54 VFC]

Very sorry to hear this sad news, Louzie0; thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Villan For Life]

A fitting tribute, Louzie0. My condolences to you and your family.

[bertlambshank]

Thoughts are with you and your family.

[Shaggy]

Very sorry for your loss. Sympathies with you and your family

[Louzie0]

Really appreciate the thoughts and comments from everybody.  Thanks.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Thoughts are with you Louzie0.
Lost my Villa dad 17 years ago, still miss him but have a chat every day.

[garyshawsknee]

Condolences to you and your family at this tough time.