Thursday, February 07, 2008

In Memory


On the 23rd January my Grandpa passed away. Aylmer Astbury reached the grand old age of 90 and he was a great man. I remember my grandpa with great fondness, I have my logical matter of fact mind (or Astburyness as Joe calls it) from him. He was a very clever man and always had an interesting little fact about almost everything. Grandpa could make a joke about almost anything and would fit a witticism in to any conversation.

Grandpa was a man of many talents, great at any form of DIY being able to do anything he put his mind to. A lover of music, cars and sundials to name a few. Grandpa told me the story of his first car - I guess he was barely 17 but probably 16, at boarding school and him and a couple of the boys owned a car they kept hidden in the woods by the school. Grandpa was great for letting us ride around on his back, pictured above is Rich having a ride.

Although Grandpa was diagnosed with Alzheimer's towards the end he knew the answers to the mini mental test better than I did. And to the end of his life remained a clever witty man who was a joy to converse with.

So goodbye Grandpa we will all miss you and remember you forever.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well written Heather, we all agree with you.

Ann said...

I was so sorry to hear of your grandfather's passing. I remember him as such a courtly, gentle man (very much like your dad!)and I enjoyed the time I spent with him and your grandmother. Your tribute to him was lovely.