Special K 442 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 My Dad, Eric, died at 6.00am this morning, aged 93.He was a skilled mechanic, having served an apprenticeship in my Grandad's garage (which was on the Army & Navy Roundabout, Chelmsford) and as a Chieftan tank fitter/instructor based at Cark-in-Carnforth in Cumbria during World War 2 - he taught the Prince of Wales (later King George) to drive.So, when I decided to buy a second-hand 750F car in 1969 I turned to him to prepare it for me - which he did with considerable skill, particularly when it came to polishing and porting the head (this was in the days when the sidevalve 750cc engine was being superceded by the 600cc Reliant alloy lump)I came second in class at the first Championship round - Cadwell Park - in April 1970. 31 May 1970 saw us (Dad, Mom, new missus and me) at Snetterton, which I won and set a new lap record. My Dad and me were over the moon, as you can appreciate, so we decided we would celebrate on the way home and we stopped at a highly prestigious hotel for dinner- The Bull at Long Melford.Us four greasy spoons in a sea of upper class tranquility . . . until we decided that, as a finale, Eric and I would enjoy crepe suzette, cooked at the tableside. With a little encouragement (err, a lot actually . .) the Maitre D'Hotel was exuberant with the brandy and, when he 'flamed' it the conflagration hit the ceiling, and set off the sprinklers...... The restaurant guests got soaked, the hotel was evacuated . . . Eric and I couldn't stop laughing.... it still creases me up when I remember it now . .... happy days . . Spec K 2 Gringosteve and Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nikndel 509 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Sorry to hear this Keith I hope you don't mind me saying a cracking innings though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Sorry to hear that, Keith. 93 is pretty good though! 1 Mark-in-Stoke reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tareim 343 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Sorry to hear the bad news Keith, as said above 93 is good going and some good memories there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rab 60 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Our thoughts are with you and the family Keith. Jan & Robert Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nicebiscuit 655 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Sorry for your loss. He sounds quite a guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
will300 812 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 My condolences to you and the family Keith. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rob275 1817 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Sorry for your loss Keith, he sounds like a character, much like yourself Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 458 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Sorry for your loss Keith Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riceburner 284 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Really sorry for your loss Keith.Condolences from Paula and I for you and your family.Maybe an opportunity at Cadwell to pay a tribute to him in the TSS in November. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike-p 116 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Sorry to hear your sad news Keith, my sympathies.He made the same age as my mum who passed away 3 weeks ago, a good innings, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Special K 442 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Thanks for indulging me in my moment of reminiscence . Yes, we were prepared for it, as he was diagnosed with mitral stenosis (failing heart) on top of his blindness, lung disfunction and failing kidneys three weeks ago and has been on an 18-hour daily oxygen regime since discharge (there's no way they will dream of a heart valve replacement at that age). His GP was ready to hook him up to the 'driver' of happy juice (morphine and valium - float away) three days ago but Eric told him to fsck off . . what a grumpy old sod . . Went over to his home today, saw Mum (Mags) and my two brother were there, Noel having flown in from Portugal this morning. Said my goodbyes just before the undertakers turned up. We've agreed that the funeral will be after next Saturday week (10th) as my daughter is getting married on that day.It's one of the reasons I didn't make Blyton on Sunday . . but I'm sure as hell gonna go for Cadwell. Spec K 2 Lauren and Keethos reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted September 29, 2015 So sorry to hear your bad news Keith. Hold on to those memories mate.. I'm sure he was very proud of you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stan.hawrylak 6 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 So sorry for your loss Keith. A lovely story about the sprinklers in the hotel. Treasured memories. Thoughts with you and the family. You were missed at the weekend. Look forward to catching up at Cadwell. Haversack Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LFA 68 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Sorry to hear that Keith Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jamie_GRMN 177 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Sorry for your loss Keith. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keethos 842 Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Sorry for your loss Keith, hope we can meet up and catch up soon! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Test Drives Unlimited 278 Report post Posted September 30, 2015 Sorry for your Loss Keith Sent from my Archos 53 Platinum using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark-in-Stoke 488 Report post Posted September 30, 2015 Very sad news Keith, my condolences to you and your family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
faith 237 Report post Posted September 30, 2015 Ahhhh, how sad, really feel for you Keith. Sending lots of love x Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keelerad 256 Report post Posted September 30, 2015 Sorry to hear your bad news mate,Alec Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ztox 230 Report post Posted September 30, 2015 Sorry to hear about your loss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gringosteve 213 Report post Posted October 1, 2015 Remember the good days and he will live on in your memories. RIP Eric Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
remal 85 Report post Posted October 2, 2015 Sorry to hear your news thoughts with you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Special K 442 Report post Posted October 2, 2015 This has been a 'septimana horribilis' . . .Following my Dad's death.... our freezer blew its fuse and we've lost the whole lot, we were so tied up with family stuff we didn't notice... then Mother-In-Law fell down at home on Wednesday and is now in Emeregency Care at Broomfield Hospital, not likely to be let out..Hmmm.I think I'll forego tomorrow's sky-diving trip... Spec K Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
