Jim Hobday
20-10 2020 16:32
wrote:
He was the greatest dad in the world. OK I might be a bit biased. Yeah he was terrible too. I think it was a Thursday in 1978 and it lasted a good 10 minutes. To be fair I had driven him to distraction. Genette will explain how I'm able to do this.
As schoolkids we would pounce on him as soon he arrived back from work and he would patiently help us with our homework rather than demand the G&T that he really deserved, what with Thatcher messing up his Clinic and School of Chiropody.
As adults he treated us as adults, with generosity and thoughtfulness whilst not demanding anything in return - not even sensible behaviour.
Of course his legacy is really his shrewd, insightful opinions on politics, economics and society in general that Matthew and I absorbed unwittingly as kids and then relished later. His integrity in life choices that wouldn't benefit him, but would always benefit others, his support for the Arts and his determination to have justice and fairness far outweighed his prolific "disgruntled of Surbiton" complaint letters.
His whole life, Dad has spent caring for others. Right up to the last few weeks of his life, he would worry about the people who were in his situation but didn't have any support. He would worry about whether Matthew, Pete Paul, Genette, Buffy and I were coping with caring for him. He would worry about everyone else's predicament - even though his was dire.
Above all he was a source of support and stability for his friends, family and anyone who crossed his path. I feel very lucky to have been part of his life.
Jim Hobday
20-10 2020 16:32
wrote:
He was the greatest dad in the world. OK I might be a bit biased. Yeah he was terrible too. I think it was a Thursday in 1978 and it lasted a good 10 minutes. To be fair I had driven him to distraction. Genette will explain how I'm able to do this.
As schoolkids we would pounce on him as soon he arrived back from work and he would patiently help us with our homework rather than demand the G&T that he really deserved, what with Thatcher messing up his Clinic and School of Chiropody.
As adults he treated us as adults, with generosity and thoughtfulness whilst not demanding anything in return - not even sensible behaviour.
Of course his legacy is really his shrewd, insightful opinions on politics, economics and society in general that Matthew and I absorbed unwittingly as kids and then relished later. His integrity in life choices that wouldn't benefit him, but would always benefit others, his support for the Arts and his determination to have justice and fairness far outweighed his prolific "disgruntled of Surbiton" complaint letters.
His whole life, Dad has spent caring for others. Right up to the last few weeks of his life, he would worry about the people who were in his situation but didn't have any support. He would worry about whether Matthew, Pete Paul, Genette, Buffy and I were coping with caring for him. He would worry about everyone else's predicament - even though his was dire.
Above all he was a source of support and stability for his friends, family and anyone who crossed his path. I feel very lucky to have been part of his life.
