We are pleased to include
some extracts from Rabbi Neil’s Eulogy at the funeral
"Jacob Rudin writes that…. ‘ When we pass away,
let it not be said that life was good to us, but rather, that we were good to
life.’ There are a few rare people, however, for whom I believe both these
statements can be made. The greatest way that one can attest to life being
good to a person are family and friends who love that person, and certainly
those of us here today can attest to that.”
He
continued…."Born in 1920, Geoffrey was one of six children, his sister Renée
being here today to remember him……………….
…Geoffrey was a
very intelligent man but always regretted having to leave school at 14 even
though he had won a place at his local grammar school.………When war broke out,
Geoffrey saw distinguished service in the 8th Army against Rommel’s
Africa Corps as well as serving in Italy as the Allies advanced. The stories
that he always told his family from the war were always inspirational to all
who heard them………..
…Life after the
war was difficult, but none-the-less he set up a business with his sister
Renee, following his father into the antiques business ……
…His courage
extended to many outdoors’ activities and encouraging others to take part in
them; such as teaching his children how to ski at an early age. But to
describe Geoffrey as just courageous wouldn’t do him credit. He was fiercely
active, a golfer, a skier – and tremendously proud of how he used to walk up
mountains before there were ski lifts. He was also a fantastic swimmer and an
eager fisherman and sailor.
…Geoffrey gave so
much of himself to the communities in which he lived, including roles as a
local councillor for many years, a member of AJAX – The Association of Jewish
ex Servicemen and his continued association with the masons where he rose to
the position of Master of his lodge.
Geoffrey brought a
light and glowing spirit to everyone he met and enlivened every occasion. We
will miss his wit, his constant positivism that came from his snippets of
wisdom, his infectious laughter and his stories.
As Geoffrey used
to say, 'You come into this world with nothing and you leave this world with
nothing.' And yet, some people leave this world in a better place for having
lived in it and Geoffrey was clearly one of those people.
This tender soul,
generous soul, now in God’s tender care, came to us on the same day as Frank
Sinatra, and all who knew and loved Geoffrey would agree that he certainly did
do it his way. May his soul be bound up in eternal life forever, and let us
say Amen”
Memories
from his children written October 2007
Dad embraced
life. His passion for antiques was legendary and he loved the history of
paintings, porcelain, furniture and jewellery with a fervent passion. He was a
natural at spotting a bargain and created a name as a master of the trade. He
had a keen eye and was fascinated by the markings and history of each and
every piece. At 14 he started his long antiques working career, a career that
spanned 60 years.
He was so proud
that I (Peter) was the first of his family to ever go to University and was
determined we would have the best of educations - something he was denied.
Geoffrey spent
many years visiting us in London and watching my children Joshua, Josie and
Lyndsay’s daughter Tippi blossom into the teen and pre teen children they are
today. He painted them many personalised paintings, which still hang in their
bedrooms and was always on hand to see Josie’s gymnastics displays, hear
Tippi’s stories and listen to Josh’s sailing and skiing escapades. He loved a
singsong around the piano whilst either Josie or I would tinkle the
ivories, as he would happily sing along tapping to the music.
For many years
he was simply known as “Popeye” a
nickname given by his first grandchild, Joshua; a name, which stuck, and
Geoffrey would often serenade his grandchildren “ I am Popeye the sailor man…”
with gusto.
He enjoyed many visits to see my family and I in West Wittering, our summer
holiday venue. Here we shared many outdoor pursuits of swimming, sailing,
rowing and golf with our energetic and jolly 'Grandpa'. Here Dad also
taught Josh and Josie many card games including poker and delighted in
leisurely days spent at the local harbour and beach.
Generous by nature and spirit, Geoffrey always composed a poem in the
children’s birthday cards and arrived laden with gifts, wine and flowers.
Every visit ended with a family meal where myself, Lyndsay, Mike and Anita and
the grandchildren would sit up for hours listening to Dad's jokes and tales as
well as numerous stories.
When 'Grandpa' awoke, he would always find a grand child climbing into his bed
to be read a story and to have a cuddle. Latterly, he would ask a
grandchild to show him the Internet and was riveted that you could buy
antiques on eBay!
Dad had a great
sense of humour and a beaming smile. He thought the best of people and his
lack of materialism and positive philosophy helped him to weather some
financial knock backs and always look forward.
He was overall
the kindest and friendliest person you could ever meet and he simply loved
people. Everyone who met him was welcomed with his warm disposition and was
immediately put at ease with his calm and charming manner. His stoic
acceptance of his illness was an example to us all and he was not frightened
of his inevitable demise.
It gave me the
greatest joy last spring to show Dad this newly published website dedicated to
his life and times. Dad gave me his notes and jottings which I edited and
updated to capture the history of his life; particularly his war stories and
antique tales.
This website is
now dedicated to his life and memory and we would like anyone to add any
lovely memories they may have or leave messages to be passed on for posterity.
I miss you a lot and I'm always
sad because I know I can't see you.
Its strange because at times I'm doing school work and concentrating really hard
that I forget your not around then I suddenly remember. I try really hard not to
cry because I know that will upset you. I won't see you in the audience of our
school's Ever Green Tea Party like you did every year for the past three years
and I won't be able to call you when I'm upset about something or at Christmas.
I wish you were here.
I love you so much.
Tippi xxx
Popeye the sailor man,
I will miss you loads and all the happy times we have had together. I will never
forget them; they will be forever treasured in my memory. You were always
someone I could look up to, who loved me, cared for me and cheered me up when I
was down.
You were without doubt the friendliest, kindest most loving person I have ever
met and probably ever will.
Thinking of you,
Josie xxx
Geoffrey, I was so lucky to be given the chance of
another Dad after mine had passed away. I met you the year after my own Dad died
and you soon became a very special person in my life. I will always appreciate
your wonderful visits to Ham and Wittering and the fun we had around the dinner
table as a family.
Thank you for producing such a great son, Peter,
and in doing so providing me with a wonderful husband. You brought him up well
with the best of values.
I will always smile when I think of you and
remember the lovely times we all had together. I will never forget the kindness
you showed to my Mum and how you were always asking after her and sending her
messages.
I hope those flights of angels were there to send
you to your rest. You deserved them!
With fondest memories, Anita XXX
Geoff. I will always remember your stories, your
laughter and your kindness.
I will miss your attempts to teach me French and I will have to get by without
your advice, your wisdom and your help. I am sorry I did not get to see you as
often as often as I would have liked, but hopefully we will get the chance
to meet again one day.
Au revoir môn grand pere, loving you always Josh!!
Dear Geoff,
When men think of marriage (if they do at all) we naturally think of the woman
we will end up with. We don't give much thought to what our perspective Father
in Law may be like, and if we do, it's usually scary. I don't think I could have
wished for a better Father in Law than you. The emphasis was always on the
"father" and rather than the "in-law".
I have many great memories of you, most of which I
can't tell here - like the first time I heard you swear, or our debate (read
argument) about rap music ("All they do is point and shout!"). But my favourite
memory, and the one that sums up what a great father in law you were, comes from
the night I asked your daughter, Lyndsay, to marry me. It was New Year's Eve
1995/96. Lyndsay and I were in a pub with friends up in Cumbria when I popped
the question. She said yes (of course), but after many bottles of champagne and
knowing that deep down you were a man of tradition, I felt it was only right
that I ask you for your daughter's hand in marriage. And no time like the
present. Okay, so it was 3 in the morning, but that didn't stop me. What you
must of made of your future son-in-law ringing at such an hour with a belly full
of champers, you didn't let on. You merely said, 'As long as you make her happy,
you have my blessing. Now can I go back to bed, please?" I promised you I would,
and let you get off the phone.
I know my obligation to make your daughter happy was
important to you, and I know I lived up to it. Lyndsay wasn't home the day you
rang to tell us you were ill. You told me the news, and then said, "But I want
to thank you for looking after my daughter. You've made her very happy."
I'll keep doing so, Geoff. Promise.
Miss you.
Mike
Geoffrey was always such a special uncle to me,
always, and always will be remembered.
Myself and my new wife Dava very much wish you both
condolences, and a long life with peace and happiness. While we cannot attend
his funeral considering we are 6000 miles away, we will be there in spirit
Love Laurence and Dava
I knew Geoffrey for some fifteen years and will
never forget him.
He was such delightful company, funny, kind, generous and considerate to all.
I will really miss our times together and send my most heartfelt condolences to
his lovely family.
Geoff, keep them all laughing on the other side.
With love,
Joanne.
As a close friend of Lyndsay for nearly three
decades, and Godfather to Tippi for just about her entire life, I met Geoffrey
on many occasions.
Each time I was struck by just how interested he was in everything and everyone
around him. He had an infectious love of life. And a boyishly mischievous
twinkle in his eye that he kept right up to the last time I saw him not quite a
year ago.
You always felt relaxed with him. And he loved to hear stories as much as tell
them.
Farewell Geoffrey. I will miss you.
Tim
Peter & Lyndsay: Your father was a lucky man. He says
so himself, time and again in so many ways in his stories that you've
brilliantly anthologized. We agree, because among his many successes was being
rather key to bringing the two of you into the world.
The collection and presentation of his stories on
this website is a beautiful way to immortalize the man. After reading them all,
(and hearing a few in his own voice,) I consider myself lucky too because I got
to share much more of his remarkable life than I had.
The access to the stories whenever we want, as well
as the memories of others who knew and loved your father, add immeasurably to
Sherry's and my sense of being part of your family. They illustrate qualities we
appreciated in Geoff, even with being in his company on just a few occasions.
We immediately were drawn to his genuine interest in
others, especially his children (you) and the families you are
growing. We liked his gentle sense of humour. Many of the stories illustrate
it. When we first met him, we appreciated his gentle generosity. That shows up
in several of the stories too.
Most of all, we savoured his warm embrace and
appreciation of our son. He greeted us as Mike's parents, assuming we had
something to do with raising a man who was making his daughter happy. That
pleased him because he loved her (you) very much. He was a gentle man, which
pleased us.
To Sherry and me, Geoff epitomized the quiet charm,
elegance and intelligence of a real English gentleman. Those are qualities we
respect and cherish. (They remind me of my own father.) They are worthy of
immortalizing the way you have with this site. It's given a kind of organic
energy to his story that will last. It's the perfect memorial. We know its
content will grow from input by you and others over time.
What's more immortal than that?
Mike Hanson (Senior)
