In loving memory of Gerald Albert Groves 'Gerry' who sadly passed away on 18th May 2023, aged 86 years.
Gerry will be sadly missed by loving wife Catherine, sons Andrew and Stephen, family and friends.
Immediate family flowers only please. If desired, donations in Gerry's memory for the 'Gurkha Welfare Trust' and the 'RAF Benevolent Fund' would be gratefully received, and should be made direct to the charity.
Thank you.
Smart dress but colours welcome.
Gerry was born in Broad street Sheerness and at the age of 15 and a half went into the airforce as a boy entrant. He once told me that there were so few job opportunities on the Island ,except for the docks. He said he missed his mum but apart from that it was ok .
He married the love of his life Freda ,and they travelled to Aden and Malta and other places, had 2 sons Andrew and Stephen. He said how much he used to like spending time with them when they were young and taking them out, he could not understand why some dads found it such a chore.
He took up badminton so he could get to other countries to play in the league, a passion that he had right up to just a few years before he died. He often played at the sheerness leisure Centre where he was often showing and telling them how to play the game properly.
However after the breakdown of the marriage ,Gerry and i ,Catherine were married in 1981.Gerry settled into work at GEC in Rochester. He took early retirement and took a part time driving job delivering flowers for Wigmore florist ,a job he really loved .He loved talking to the customers and seeing happy faces on receiving flowers. We were very lucky to have 42 years together in which we travelled abroad and lots of places in England, Scotland and Wales. We very rarely spent time apart and enjoyed each others company.
Gerry always had a soft spot for Wales as he was evacuated there when he was very young with his slightly older brother Alan, they had a lovely time and often got up to mischief and a few injuries. They made good friends some whom Gerry and i visited over the years .
Another passion was his small garden which he would spend hours toiling in or sitting reading a book. His garden had a fish pond ,a butler sink with newt s and frogs and even an upturned bucket with slow worms, and of course he fed the birds.
Well that's his life in the short version and he will leave a massive hole in my life and heart, and Andrew and Stephens .and a sadness for things we had planned and ran out of time !!. Love and God Bless . Catherine x
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Well the funeral was today the longest day and hot. I Would like to thank everyone for their support on this very traumatic day .it all went well and the service was spot on.Thankyou for the kind donations to the charities.
Love and God Bless Catherine x
In memory of our lovely Uncle Gerald, rest in peace xx
For you grandad.
From Sebastian groves
Rest in peace Gerry xx
Rest in peace Gerry xx
Rest in peace Gerry xx
In memory of a lovely uncle
With memories of a lovely Uncle and happy times in Sheerness and Bath. Rest in peace x x x
Daphne and family are so very sad to hear of your sudden passing Gerald, such a shock to us all. I just wanted to share a few memories and some photos..
Your mum & dad were heart broken when you left home at only 15 years old to start your career in the RAF. They didn’t try and stop you and they were extremely proud of all your achievements!
At that time in the early 50’s Alan, your brother, and I were courting and on Saturday nights we would go to the local dance where you joined us when you were on leave. You were a very good dancer Gerald and we had many dances together.
You were best man at our wedding in 1955. When we moved to Bath from Sheerness you came and stayed with us many, many times since the 1960’s. We were expecting you this year but sadly this won’t happen. We have many happy memories of time spent with you! Rest in peace and god bless you.
Daphne and family x x x
Gerry and Alan -serious gardening talk!
A stroll along the seafront in Sheerness
With their Mum
Teenagers Gerry and brother Alan
Gerry, his brother Alan and Spider the dog whilst evacuated in Mountain Ash, Wales
I first met Gerry when his wife catherine became our home stat volunteer when my son Kieran was little. After that Catherine and Gerry became very good friends of ours and we used to spend alot of time with them either at their house or they would come to ours.Gerry was always busy doing things and one day I remember him and Catherine coming round for coffee and he ended up working in my garden giving out his orders and puting me in my place. He was very fond of kieran and whenever he saw kieran he would pop some money in his hand. Whenever I saw Gerry he always had a smile on his face and story to tell and that is what I shall remember most about Gerry his big beaming smile. Thankyou for being a great friend to myself and Kieran we shall miss you very much. May you rest in peace and rise in Glory. Love charlotte and Kieran xx
Gerald Groves had a great respect for their values and determination .
This is where your adult life began and became a passion for life.
Lets help the youngsters' do the same with respect and confidence.
I first met gerry when I was in my teens, when I still lived in Kent. He was a lovely family man and made my auntie Catherine happy, which is all good in my eyes. I haven't seen him for quite a long time until earlier this year, but when I did he was just as I remembered , funny and caring. He will be sorely missed.
Rest now uncle Gerry.
Xxxx
A lovely photo of our last time together. He’ll be sadly missed by all who loved him. X
Always in our hearts xxx
Never to be forgotten, love as always, June.
You changed the course of my life Gerry, you will always have a place in my heart. Rest in peace. x
Gerry and Alan -serious gardening talk!
A stroll along the seafront in Sheerness
Teenagers Gerry and brother Alan
Gerry, his brother Alan and Spider the dog whilst evacuated in Mountain Ash, Wales
Always with me
Dad
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