Yvonne - Auntie

Dearest Matt – my splendid, kind, generous, considerate, talented, loving nephew
 
I am so proud to be your Auntie and I treasure the special card you sent last Christmas
 
A more angelic-looking little child would have been hard to find, and you were an absolute joy with the most enormous appetite I had ever seen in a toddler in my life. Totally insatiable and a delight to cater for. Anything and everything was hoovered up without a second bidding.
 
You have touched so many lives by the way you have overcome your adversities, mainly in relation to your health but life in general.
 
The road accident when you were only 10 which kept you in hospital for many weeks makes me shudder each time I recall it.  However, you overcame that trauma only to be hit with a stroke 15 years later and, as we know, your body has been in constant agony for many, many years.
 
The pain you have endured, both physically and mentally, has never stopped you from being the most amazing father to Lewis – kicking balls around when you found it almost impossible to put one foot in front of the other, is only one example of the sacrifices you made so that he could experience a normal father-son relationship.
 
Only those who knew you well, understood your suffering as you were a great clown and kept smiling that dazzling smile for all to believe that life was great.  Always ready to offer help in any way you could, either emotional or practical.
 
You treasured the time spent with the family and saw them at every opportunity on behalf of our entire family, including Simon, Jayne, Emma & Will, in Australia, Lisa, Van and those lovely little children in America, we wish you farewell and joy in your new life.
 
Rest in perfect peace dearest Matt

Tracy – Sister: 

We always shared a special bond, a love that’s always there and I could always count on you to listen, help and care. 

I’ll keep you in a special place so you will always know that I’m glad you were my brother and I love you so. 

So funny, so caring and a legend of a brother and uncle 

Also – only you Matt could have actually engineered a situation where Mum stops talking about politics – for a whole week! Go Matt! 

Kick arse up there with Nana Bro x 

Lewis – Son 

My dad was the best.  He was a hero. 

He always helped other people and put their needs first.  Nothing was ever too much trouble for him, even though everything was too much as he was in so much pain – he never let people see that. 

He had the biggest, kindest heart.  Even when he had to leave us, his last wishes were to help others’ by donating his organs. 
My dad was not a fan of football but put my wishes first and always played with me and watched me play every match.  I loved skate parks and my dad took me to Corby once or twice every month.  I realise now he didn’t have the money to do it, but he always found it because it made me so happy.  Dad was so happy when he got his motorbike and so proud of the leathers I wore when I was on the bike with him.

He wished I still had leathers now, but I won’t get out of my tracksuits. 

In recent times Dad loved working in his garden and has made it look amazing.  On Saturday I helped Dad fix his car and he was so proud, he told everyone that we had done it together. 

I am so happy that I went to live with him recently and spend time with him.  

Dad, I am so thankful for everything you have done for me and will love you forever.  

Until we meet again, my dad, my hero, I love you x