Matthew Thorpe

I'm writing this in memory for my Grand dad for he has done something for me after his death that no
other could. Please read...

My Grandad was the life of our family , he meant so much to each and everyone of us , he always had
a way to make us laugh and smile , he was energetic and fun.
A real family man.
He was the loving husband of my nanny Pam and Father of three boys , Mark, Richard and my dad Alan.
He really wanted a daughter but they never had their own.
They adopted Linda a family member , and fostered Johnathan, they also adopted two unwanted
handicapped children Fiona and Sean.
Big hearts.

I was the first born girl and still the only girl..my grandad doted on me and we was very close.
My memories of grandad are of him with his smokers pipe and ill share my most precious memory with
him...

Whilst on holiday , Grandad took me on his own to the play area in the club house one night.. we sat
and laughed at the show , he got me my fave drink chocolate milkshake, i went of to play and dance
with other children, when i got back there was a chocolate milkshake on the table but my grandad was
gone!
I drank it and tried not to worry but after looking about and not seeing him my tears soon started
to flow , a lady at the table next door scooped me up and we went on the hunt for my grandad, and
sure enough we found him , in the arcades , he perched me on the edge and we laughed til late hours
on the machine.
Just grandad and me.

We have many memories of my special grandad, walks and runs in the woods ,holidays , family meals ,
Christmas's... he truly was a special man with a massive heart.

Unfortunately his massive heart out of the blue one day gave up on him. Whilst out on a family trip
with Fiona and Sean in back he was driving and said he didn't feel well, so they pulled over and
nanny took over , Grandad lent forward, nanny said ''sit up dear'' He did , lent to the side and
died.
My nan had to keep driving til she could pull over , people nearby phoned an ambulance but it was
too late , my nans soulmate and life long friend and partner had gone.

I was only 10 but his funeral ill never forget and my tears would not stop, we sang all things
bright and beautiful his fave song, it was so packed people were outside.

We think Grandad new he was going to go , i later learnt not long before he died he was known to be
asleep on the sofa and yelled , im not ready to go yet and kicked out. He also visited us and
everyone just days before he died on his own. We are very thankful for that last visit.

Grandad is very missed and Nanny never loved another man, she continues to live with Linda and Fiona
and is the most wonderful Nanny and I'm very close with her.

Grandad also came to me after his death in the most wonderful way, and for ever ill be grateful.
On November 1st 2004 my baby girl died , her name is Ellie Marritt on here, I gave birth to her on
the 5th November.
A few days later in my despair sitting on my sofa i was looking at her pics and hand prints stroking
them, when something jumped out at me, On her 2nd finger on her hand print clear as day is my
grandads face.
I thought i was going mad so i asked my Mum Dad uncles and everyone can see him , it clearly has his
high hair line and sharp nose and eye features.
This brings me no end of comfort , i know my darling girl is looked after by the most wonderful of
men , and my Grandad has a little girl to look after , i firmly believe he greeted her into his arms
on his birthday in heaven.



Thank you Grandad
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