The following messages of condolence and symbols
have been added in memory of Alan.

Godspeed Dad xxxx

Our dear Dad – we can’t believe you are gone and we won’t see you again, in this life. The world will never be the same. We always knew how much you loved us and that family was the most important thing to you. We are so proud of the person you were and what you achieved.
I have fond memories of going on family bushwalks where Dad would point out features of interest and explain about the plants, landscape and rocks. He was so knowledgeable, and I was always so proud and happy to be walking by him and learning from him. We had lots of great family holidays with Dad always planning outings and adventures. He regularly took us to museums or other places of interest that gave us an opportunity for learning about the world.
Dad always made us feel loved and safe and that any problems could be overcome. He was fond of saying he was “Yorkshire with a dash of Viking” on account of his striking blue eyes and would remind us that we had inherited that toughness. He made no distinction for us being girls and taught us how to look after our cars and to play cricket. Growing up we had lots of fun cricket games with neighbours in the park across from our house. As a child, Jo had some bad asthma attacks and remembers how safe she felt with Dad wrapping her in a blanket, bundling her in the car and racing off to Princess Margaret Hospital in the middle of the night. He also sat by her bedside all night when she was really sick. She remembers opening her eyes in the middle of the night to see Dad there - looking very uncomfortable dozing in a chair - and how reassured and comforted she felt that he was there. On one very memorable occasion, Dad actually saved Jo’s life when she collapsed suddenly one morning at the age of 5…..his RAF medic training was a godsend on this occasion and others where we always felt reassured when Dad looked after our various childhood injuries and ailments.
Dad would go to many lengths to help us with our goals or troubles. From getting up early to drop Jo at 5am starts for work experience as a strapper, to fixing Deb’s dodgy car by torchlight at night after a hard day’s work so she could get to Uni the next day…. nothing was too much for Dad to help his girls.
Dad was protective and taught us how to defend ourselves and not to tolerate bullies.
Our adult relationships with Dad have been a joy. Dad had a great sense of humour, and we had many laughs over the years. One of the greatest joys of Dad’s life was seeing his girls start their own families. He was thrilled to become a grandfather to Elisabeth, Matthew and Simon, Rachel and David and James and Sam.
Dad loved seeing them grow and took great pride in what wonderful young people they all are, in their characters and accomplishments. Family picnics, Christmas, Easter and birthday get togethers where many laughs would be had were enjoyed over the years. Dad loved playing with his grandkids in the pool or at cricket, and in later years offering them a beer, whiskey or coffee while having a good old chat…often about politics or the state of the world. He loved to regale them with stories of his life but also to hear about theirs.
Being surrounded by women Dad sometimes didn't get much of a word in, so making some quality time was important. He enjoyed being asked for a one-on-one chat and coffee and cake at a local café. These 'dates' were a lovely way of connecting with him and will be greatly missed.
We were devastated when we learnt of Dad’s cancer diagnosis, but he fought valiantly for many years and was always incredibly stoic. He rarely complained and indeed you had to really interrogate him to get an idea of how he really was. He wanted to protect us. To the last, he said he didn’t mind dying but he didn’t want to leave Sheila and his girls, and of course he wanted to see more of his grandkids’ lives. In the last weeks he would shed tears as he said this then chide himself for being a wuss. We never thought he was a wuss – to us this was a gift ….to see him open up and express his feelings in a way men of his generation had been taught not to do. From the beginning of his diagnosis, he would regularly end conversations with “love ya heaps”. We loved getting his text messages with photos of his breakfasts and his ‘may the goddess be with you’ endings.
Dad, we are so sad you didn’t get to live long enough to dance at Elisabeth’s wedding as you wished. But it was a delight to see you at her engagement party. Frail though you were by then, you charged off into the crowd with your walking stick and started chatting with the young folk, telling them stories of your own youthful days.
Dad, we love you and we will miss you so much – your humour, your wisdom, your presence and just being able to give you a hug. I am sure you have a place in heaven and an all-access pass to Valhalla – where we will meet again one day. Rest in peace now – may the Goddess be with you.

I regret never telling you this but every Friday at after work drinks, I would read your text messages out to the guys and they’d all laugh at your language and say “my grandfather doesn’t even know how to text”. They always loved your colour language and your details description. They send their regards.

Alan was a kind and dedicated volunteer for the City of Gosnells for many years. He devoted so much time to his community and was a delight to work with. Alan helped many people feel heard and stay connected in his volunteer role. It is a testament to his character and generous personality that he is fondly remembered years after his time as volunteer ended.

Vale Alan, you will be missed.

Alan will be very much missed by us, someone so very much a part of our family, even though we were always miles apart. On the occasions we did get together we so much enjoyed his company, his lovely dry sense of humour, his enthusiasms for his many interests and frequent his irreverence about so many things. He was always willing to help others, young and old and often did so. Alan loved his family, he loved Sheila and everything he did in his life was for their comfort, security and wellbeing. He was extremely proud of his daughters and grandchildren. Rest easy Alan, Life won’t be quite the same without you. xxxx

I’ve only met my uncle Alan twice in my life, first time was when I was around 14 years old I think and was after Alan’s mum had passed away and he had come to the UK to scatter the ashes.
Second time was when both Alan and Sheila were travelling to various places in the UK visiting friends/family. We had a lovely day out at Skipton visited the castle and had lunch.
Every year at Christmas we would receive an annual update these were a great read learning about what everyone had been up to throughout the year and which places they had been to. These updates were the only contact until 18months ago when my mum Lesley set up a WhatsApp group. Since then communications were on a regular basis whereby Alan would send us his breakfast menus with pictures and always finished the message with “Not too shabby” or “What’s not to like?” he was so proud of these.
We’ve had pictures of “Cockson Castle”,“Charlie” the resident lizard, and many of the mini breaks away. It’s been nice to be able to put a face to my cousins Deborah, Alison and Joanna without this chat this would never have been possible.
Girls, Sheila also known as senior management you have had such a wonderful father and husband in your lives and I am proud to have been able to call him my uncle. May he rest in peace and as Alan always said at the end of his messages “May the goddess be with you” Love Michelle

A wonderful father in law who I grew to love very much and a great sources of inspiration for my own wanderlust.

As a proud Yorkshireman, when he found out that the 7 year old me didn't know the 'proper' way to catch a cricket ball he immediately corrected this serious lack in my education.
That summed up Alan. He was always keen to ensure that we all achieved our potential. He certainly did.

Alan,
I am going to miss hearing all of your fantastic stories of adventure and wonder. You were always so welcoming and warm from the moment I met you and Sheila. You were truly an inspiration.
Rest easy x

We will miss your yearly letters then emails, you kept us updated with things you and your lovely family did throughout the year. This is a very sad time dear brother and brother-in-law so one last time...
May the goddess be with you.

Vale Alan

He was a proud Yorkshireman, a very proud father and an extremely proud grandfather.

For those of us that can relate to "where he came from" his lifelong effort to improve his situation and his families but particularly to ensure his daughters had the opportunities denied to him by circumstances was something to marvel at.

He would regularly say in parting "illegitimi non carborundum" - and to his credit he never did.

Hi Sheila,
So sorry to just learn of Alan's passing; my sincerest sympathies and condolences. I'm sure that you and the girls will be a wonderful support for one another.
Sad, yes. But I remember your family and its relationships was one that was always abuzz with a lot of happiness. It was great to have you all as friends / neighbours in Malawi and friends in PNG - and after. I recall MANY occasions on which we've shared fun, laughter and friendship.
And I always valued Alan's (proper) irreverence and intolerance of BS!
RIP mate.