Ken,

Many of your conversations centred around your growing up on the farm, your grandparents, the holidays they took you on, the motorbikes you rode. I felt you were the most happiest at that time in your life.
You
were such a talented man in most things you turned your hand to.

Diagnosing and fixing cars, electronics, computers, electrical stuff. Many a time you were presented with a problem, you sat for a while then came up with an ingenious solution to the problem.


We would joke about your ‘jobs list’ but you were content to work through them, it made you happy being occupied and doing something for me, and you were so quick! I am surrounded by your memories in my house.


I spurred you on to paint your flat, although white everywhere was a bit of a contention. I turned up one weekend and said “Right, we are painting your bedroom” You grinned, we completed it that weekend and you were so pleased with the final result.


You were happy to be my commis chef. One family Christmas buffet preparation at my house nearly finished you off, you were sick of chopping! Over the years we have made chutneys, copious amounts of pumpkin soup (which we were sick of eating in the end) as well as other soups by the gallon load. I certainly stretched your tastebuds to the limit. But you in turn had a full freezer of healthy food! Although I would get upset and frustrated at the amount of unhealthy food you ate when in your own company :-( 


Every now and then you would surprise me by baking an apple cake!
Your
Christmas and birthday gifts were so thoughtful. You had picked up on something I had said and gave me a wonderful surprise of just what I wanted. The last one being a chutney pan! haha


You applied for your first passport, and I took you exploring Spain twice.
We
drove to Belgium on your birthday and stayed in our first Air b&b and explored Dover and surrounding area.


Holidays to Cornwall. Whilst queuing for the boat to visit St Michaels Mount, I said “take your shoes off we are wading across” You looked at me in disbelief, but once you got over the initial shock of water up to thigh level you were laughing. I always took you out of your comfort zone. 


Many a trip to different National Trust houses and weekend hotel stays for Bournemouth Air Show.


We spent months exploring different walks around Hamble and Warsash. Sometimes taking a flask and picnic as it might take a few hours!  


My family get-together’s flying kites, riding scooters, picnics and spending time with my grandchildren.


Just a few of the many things we did together. These things made you happy, and you once said to me that you have done more since you met me that any other time in your life, I guess that is the main consolation to me.


The photo on your Facebook and this tribute page was taken at Golitha Falls, such a happy day walking around the waterfalls. The hat I bought you at a country show.


How I will miss you dear Ken. You could be hard work sometimes, and no doubt I could be too. I was an owl you were a lark, I was light and you were dark.

Apart from the shock, anger and denial of your sudden departure, you have left me with so many memories of you over the past six and a half years. No-one deserves a life cut short in such a sad way. No goodbye!  I will miss our daily text messages, our midweek meets for coffee at my local pond with a Costa, often I would cook you dinner. Our Wetherspoons breakfasts at weekends. Me popping over sharing a curry or you staying the weekend at mine. A listening ear to my day, good or bad.

I hope you are at peace now.

You were loved!