The passing of a gentleman

Yesterday was the funeral of my partner's grandfather. I can't claim to have known him that well - he and I never quite figured out how to talk to each other and only really related through our love of a good game of scrabble. But his presence suffused the whole family. He was an almost constant presence at the family Saturday afternoon tea and whilst he was not always able to join in the conversation (or more likely often chose not to hear!), his very presence was the anchor of the whole family. He was a generous, thoughtful, caring man, who brought compassion, humour, a staunch heart and a seriously strong work ethic to everything he did. You can see his influence rippling through his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their lovely natures are a direct tribute to him and his beloved wife.

So now I am sitting in a bar, waiting for my partner to return from delivering a training session today, and raising a glass in his honour. I won't claim that his passing marks the last of the true gentlemen - that would be both cliched and less than he deserved. But he is so very missed, even by those of us who only had the privilege of knowing him for a very short time. He was such a very special person.