Friday 7 July 2017

Goodbye Dad

Sunday 25th June 2017

Terence John Brennan (30/10/1934 – 25/6/2017)


Early this morning we received a phone call from Diane’s brother and sister-in-law in Queensland with some very bad news; Diane’s father Terry had had a fall in the bathroom and had died.
He had been not at all well for a few years now with severe breathing difficulties and we had been preparing ourselves that if he had a bad winter then it would dramatically affect his ability breathe at all, but we were just not prepared for the phone call that came through.
Naturally Diane was a bit distraught, I was pretty upset as well (someone has to hold things together) and the crying down the line from Queensland compounded it all – no-one was really holding back how they felt.
Terry was a great man in our family – the patriarch – someone who we have at stages in our lives looked to for guidance and a gentle word here and there.
Great men do not have be great to anyone else other than their families.


Originally from Watford, he and Dorothy, along with their 3 children made the voyage to Australia for a better life and they achieved their goal; in the latter 1990’s they both took out Australian citizenship to make it complete.

As my father-in-law he was just Dad – both he and my own father were men who spoke softly and did not need the big stick – they were men you listened to and they were mates to everyone.



Terry, of late, has been frustrated with not being able to do what he would have done in younger days and that will happen to us all.

Late last year in December, he and Dorothy renewed their marriage vows and whilst, like many men, he might have had a bit of a grumble about it all, he truly loved Dorothy and there was no-one else for him.


It has been a sad sad day for everyone in the family – from Mooloolah to Melbourne, from London to Los Angeles – we begin the grieving, but we will never miss missing him.


So goodbye Dad – we love you and we miss you !

12 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear your sad news. Ian and I send our condolences to you both. Xxx

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    1. Thanks to you both it is much appreciated, we have had a busy and sad last 24 hours indeed but now starting to emerge from the haze

      best regards
      ray

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  2. So sorry to hear such bad news, our thoughts are with you both. xx

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    1. Thanks Carol, It came as a bit of a shock coming as it did, but we are coping with it all - just getting all of the plans in place
      best regards
      ray

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  3. So sorry to read of such sad news. I love the quote "Great man do not have be great to anyone else than their families"

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  4. Thanks Nev, I have fixed up the wording as well. We are missing him a lot
    - ray

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  5. Good morning, Diane and Ray, I am just catching up on blogs and blogging, and saw this post.
    Diane, it is so sad that you are so far away from your mum at this time, when I am sure all you want to do is hug her and be hugged. Clearly you all loved your dad dearly, and he was so precious to you. How wonderful that you got to see him and spend time with him just a few months ago - that is a gift you will always hold on to.
    It is a shock when a parent dies, isn't it - we are shocked but not surprised, is how I saw it when it happened to my parents. But such a blessing that his struggles are over, even though it is hard for you and all the family and friends.
    We are thinking of you and sending big hugs, Marilyn and David nb Waka Huia

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  6. Thank you Marilyn, I read your thoughts out to Diane and she was most appreciative of your words and the comfort from them; it has been a hard few days but we are getting through them and will soon be home to see Mum and the rest of the family

    regards
    ray

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  7. That is so sad and truly shocking when there has been no time to brace oneself. Please give Dianne a double hug. The only small consolation is that he will have known very little and felt no pain.
    If I can help in any way let me know-boat sitting or whatever.

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    1. Thanks Richard
      my apologies for taking so long to reply - it has been a bit hectic lately - I have given Diane your hugs and more.
      best regards
      ray

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  8. Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of Diane"s dad.

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    1. Hello Dot, thank you for you words, we are still hoping for him to suddenly walk through the door and have a beer with us.
      Our best to you and Derek
      regards
      ray

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