John Holliday
Passed away on Sunday 1st March aged 91.
Funeral service will be held at the North Devon Crematorium, Aspen Chapel, on Tuesday 17th March at 10.45
Funeral Service
Location:
North Devon Crematorium
Old Torrington Road
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 3NW
The year must have been 1953 or 1954, (I was certainly very young, not yet at infant school) when my mother told me some exciting news i.e her younger brother had returned from National Service, having been a despatch rider in Germany and was coming to see us. He duly arrived, a dashing, dark-haired young man bearing gifts–two German toys for me, one that we called Bambi for obvious reasons, the other a benevolent-looking gnome. That then, is my first memory of Uncle John, my late mother’s baby brother, who always so generous and funny–a great raconteur whose anecdotes, so well-told, made us laugh out loud. I remember him jiving with his girlfriend (later known, of course, as my Auntie Maureen) to ‘Rock Around the Clock’, played loudly on a record player in my granny’s sitting room, shaking the lace curtains of semi-suburban Ilford. I remember, too, when I was in my late teens, how he took me for a driving lesson around those same streets, displaying enormous patience, unlike other driving instructors who had despaired of my incompetence. My last memory of Uncle John dates back to 2018, we hadn’t seen each other in person for years, and he was older, of course, but very much just the same. Goodbye Uncle John, you are enshrined in my memory as the thirteen year old lad in my parents’ wedding photograph; this feels very much like the end of an era. My sympathies to Karen, Ian, Peter and Matthew. God bless.
John was my idol as a child and I was probably a pest and a half.
Like Susan, I played gooseberry with him and Maureen often sitting in the back seat of the car (sorry thats me in the back) – I told you brain power was almost used up!
John started my love of stamp collecting giving me my first album although I believe this came originally from Percy.
He also passed on a lot of Dinky cars and a garage made by Pop.
There is also a lovely book which might still be in the family somewhere with motoring scenes – if you find it please ignore my scribbling additions!
Like Susan, John brought me a present back from Germany – my
first wrist watch.
John taught me how to draw Micky Mouse and I can still do it!
He had his thoughtful side too.
I was given at quite a young age a set of metal soldiers with long “pointy” guns.
John thought these might be dangerous so he broke off all the rifles!
Please remind Ian of the time I tried to take him to a football match at West Ham but we couldnt get in – we had a nice train ride anyway.
Rita reminds me that “cheeky” John was always asking Rita when a baby would appear,
Her reply was – we are having too much fun practising!
Sarah and Adam duly appeared to Johns satisfaction.
We have many happy memories of “Uncle” John.
He will be missed.
Love Terry and Rita
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over xxx
Dad, I am like you a man of few words.
I appreciate you sharing the interest you had, with me.
R.I.P.
I forgot to add the photo of you, mum and Karen that I took on one of the many trips to the Lake District. (1967)