This morning, the greatest man I have ever known, left this world after 95 years. My father in law, Bob Smyth, was the strongest, most determined, kindest, powerhouse of an individual, with the incredible ability to make himself keep going, no matter what, never letting the world get on top of him, and always having time for his extended family, whatever their bizarre circumstances. Hed been through the whole of the Second World War, from N. Ireland with the Enniskillen Fusiliers to Germany with the Royal Corps of signals and on to Palestine, (as it was) eventually taking on Africa and spending a long period of time in Kenya doing his signals job with the Kenyan Police and bringing up his family. When he came back to N.Ireland, he did his stint in the cafe business, and then with his hard earned cash, he went to Enniskillen , taking on an island to give him constant work, carving it into his own identity. When he left there for Whitehead, he finished building his cottage on Blackhead cliff top, which in a way, was a little monument for his late wife Kay, who constantly supported him through the craziest of life choices. He believed in work, and often made it as difficult and awkward for himself, sometimes, I think, just for the challenge. He just never stopped. His last two years, even though he knew he had cancer, he kept his motivation, finally stopping driving, a year ago, when he realised, it was probably the right thing to do, and he became easier about being chauffeured. He is/was/and always will be, a shining example in my mind, of what a good man truly is and if I can live up to half of what he has been to me, ill feel at least I added something better to life. So, whatever Valhalla, Nirvana, or Shangri la he has disappeared off to, to join Kay in generating some new quest, Ill be honoured to hook up with him again….but not just yet! Derek, Ruth and my Wendy, how lucky you were to have him for so long. A brilliant man. x
Posted on: Wed, 21 May 2014 07:32:21 +0000
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