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| I knew a man�
Who could dance like Fred Astaire. He had the biggest feet I�ve ever seen, and yet he appeared to glide around the dance-floor, as if on skates. I knew a man� Who always looked stunning in a suit and tie. Pictures of him as a young man show a dazzlingly handsome matinee idol, so sharp � he made Sean Connery look like a dustman. I knew a man� Whose elder brother climbed to the top of a tree, and dropped a brick on his head, just to see what would happen. Thereby starting a trend: Hospital visit no. 1 I knew a man� Who once sat with me at the cinema, and polished off a whole packet of Chocolate �clair toffees, a tub of popcorn and a large box of poppets � before the main film had even started. I knew a man� Who loved a game of snooker: His highest break was 35 � against me, and I can declare publicly that 28 of those points were fluked. As the black ball disappeared for the fourth time, having bounced off 5 cushions and ricocheted off the cue ball into the pocket, he would smile at me and say, �Ooh, I haven�t played that shot for years!� I knew a man� Who had a lifelong passion for Angling. If he told you the fish he�d caught was this big; it was no idle boast � I�ve seen the photos. His lifetime best was a carp weighing in at 35 lbs. (That�s 12 shillings in old money) But he never kept his fishing methods a secret; he was always more than willing to spend hours-on-end explaining to you the reasons why Chubb love cheese or give you his top tips on the best way to float a dog-biscuit. I knew a man� Who was gentle and placid. When his wife went to Canada to visit relatives, he turned to his young daughters and said, �Right, I�m in charge now!� � And they fell about in hysterics. ... He loved his Spitfires and actually spent some time working on them aged 14. He attended an air-show a few years ago when one flew overhead. He told me that just the sound of it was so evocative it moved him to tears. I knew a man� Who loved his job. He would spend many hours perfecting his display boards for his fashion jewellery. At the end of another successful day on the road he would breeze into the house, smelling of Aftershave and cigarettes, flop down into his chair and state, �Ooh, I�ve had a belting day, a bloody cracker!� |
| Ron Hill 1930 ~ 2008 |
| I knew a man�
Who liked a good hospital. Be it at home or abroad, he didn�t discriminate and tried out dozens. Listening to him go through a list of his ailments with doctors was amazing. �Have you had any of the following�� was not a question you wanted to ask him� �Yes, had that� and that� and that. Yes, had that twice. No, I haven�t had that but I was planning on getting it.� I knew a man� With an unshakable belief in the (fidelity sign) G.A.O.T.U. He thoroughly enjoyed his Masonic career. He could recite any ritual from memory � word perfectly � at a moments notice without a single mistake. It may have been a piece he hadn�t done for years, but it would still be impeccable. He thoroughly deserved his Provincial Honours. He had a Masonic briefcase full of Regalia and Jewels and at least 3 packets of Rennies. I knew a man� Who when he hugged you, it was like being enveloped in the arms of a gentle bear. I knew a man� Whose voice was as soft and rolling as the Cotswold Hills that were the place of his birth. I knew a man� Who faced adversity throughout his life. I never heard him moan or feel sorry for himself. He remained good natured right through his many trials. I KNOW a man� Who hasn�t gone far from us. He�s still close by. I KNOW a man� Who has cast off his tired old bones and at this very moment is fit, healthy and happy. I KNOW a man� Who had many names � Ronald Gerald, if he was in trouble! Ronald, Ron, Dad, Granddad, Rocket Ron, Ice-Tart-Charlie. Gon-Gon, Dandy, Guts, Worshipful Brother � He answered to them all. I was proud to know him as Dad, Brother and Friend. The reason we are gathered here is because this man touched the lives of each and every one of us. He left us better people for having known him. I feel immensely honoured and privileged to have shared a small part of his life. I KNOW A MAN� With a soft and gentle soul � who has embraced the light and returned from whence he came. |
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| 'Memories' I knew a man... written and read with love and respect by Nick Richardson Taken from the funeral service of dear Ron |
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