Stanley Brookfield (12 Feb 1935 - 4 Feb 2023)

In loving memory of Stanley Brookfield who sadly passed away on 4th February 2023

Stan was born in Preston Northend on 12th February 1935. He shared with us over the years his memories of growing up as a child in the war (World War II). Watching with his friends the war planes fly above them, his special favourite the spitfire. This childhood love of flight led Stan later in life to be an avid aircraft enthusiast, and took the family to many an air show.

From the age of 9 years old Stan and his brother James were homed in a Barnardo’s children’s home together, and at the age of 14 years he left there and made his way down to Southampton to Hamble sea school, after his training he joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 16 years, working as an able seaman, deckhand and life boat certified seaman. In his career at sea, he travelled across the world, finally serving on the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth 1st cruise liners

Stan met Doreen his wife in 1955 and after courting for nine months married in 1956, and have been married for 66 years. And celebrated their 60 years together, receiving their letter of congratulations from Queen Elizabeth 2nd to commemorate this achievement.

Stan left sea life to begin a lifelong career as a painter and decorator eventually finishing his career at Fawley refinery with exon chemicals.

During Stanley’s life he made a commitment to his family to spend time with them, whether that was a day at the forest having a picnic or camping under canvas. We also enjoyed many holidays together and Stan/ Dad/ Grandad provided us as a family with the opportunity to enjoy holidays abroad or at home in the UK. Day trips were educational in some way but also great fun whether that was visiting a castle, tracking wildlife in the forest or rigging up a swing on a tree which he always carried in the car, along with various activities from a football to badminton he had it covered. The trips were never complete without his travel stove, as a Brookfield day out was never complete without tea and sandwiches.

Stanley was also avid Bird Watcher and could tell what bird of prey flew overhead by its silhouette. Dad/ Grandad always took the opportunity to teach through experience, that would transfer to later life skills, whether that would be basic woodwork or teaching his youngest daughter his decorating skills, which she has passed onto her children.

Stan was always happy with a fishing rod in his hand and was an avid course fisherman who enjoyed holidays to the Norfolk Broads captaining his own ship 😊. And shared his fishing skills with the family, and grandchildren.

He took his family horse riding regularly and was a natural rider himself. Stan was also and avid sports viewer and loved nothing more than watching any type sport on TV. His favourites football, cricket, and motor racing.
During Stan’s retirement he spent his time gardening (Reluctantly), and more than once he picked out flowers or vegetables planted thinking they were weeds 😊.

He was a keen hobbyist of tall ships whittling these from solid wood blocks. But his favourite hobby was looking after his grandchildren with Doreen, and is fondly remembered as silly Grandad for his playful persona when with the little ones.

Sadly, Stanley was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in his early 70’s and bravely battled the disease which eventually affected his memory and physical abilities before he passed from us into the night.

He will always be remembered as a strong and proud man with a very dry sense of humour, who was honest in what he said, reliable and always on time, if not very early 😊, and was always on call to any of his family at any time. He was not really a religious man, he believed you didn’t need to go to church to pray, and your home was as good as any place to do so. He had a relaxed attitude regarding life, for those saddened or worried he would say, do you get paid for it, and lived what would be seen now as a very mindful life, who will be sadly missed from the family’s life.

Final note from the family.

We will always love him for the man he was and how he still lives within us all, in our memories teachings and actions we live every day. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather who will be sorely missed, and we wish you well on your final voyage home on fare winds and calm seas.

Poem our father used to recite.
Sea Fever (1902)
By John Masefield

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.