Frederick Walter Greenslade (29 Dec 1929 - 22 Mar 2024)

In loving memory of Frederick (Fred) Walter Greenslade who sadly passed away on 22 March 2024.

Born 29 December 1929 to Walter & May Greenslade, Fred grew up in Lewisham and had a happy childhood. During the second world war Fred was evacuated to Tunbridge Wells, aged 9, where he stayed with a military family. Fred recalled they brought ‘Nanny’ out of retirement to come and look after him. Fred said he was very lucky and the family he was placed with were lovely.

At 15, when Fred left school, his parents wanted him to be a carpenter. Fred had other ideas! He courageously took himself up to London and met with several large companies seeking to be an apprentice draftsman. He did it! Fred worked for Humphries & Glasgow and Kellogg’s, to name a few, and became a senior design engineer until retirement at age 74. He worked in Victoria in London and would tell stories of when he and his friends would go out to dinner and to the theatre after work.

When he was 24, for his National Service, Fred joined the RAF as an engineer. He worked on Mosquito and Hurricane planes and was stationed in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Fred loved his time with the RAF and had many adventures.

On his return to the UK, aged 27, Fred met the true love of his life on a blind date – Patricia (Pat) Tanner and on the 28th of July in 1956 they were married. They shared the next 61 years together in a wonderful, loving and devoted marriage.

It was in 1968, their loving son Ian came into their lives and 2 years later a loving daughter, Janis, completed the family. Fred was the most wonderful Dad. Adored by his children and their friends. He worked hard to provide for his family and they had a very secure and fortunate upbringing. Being lucky enough over the years to have wonderful family holidays together and shared many happy memories; from Mr and Mrs Georges’ in Devon to Malta and Melhia Bay, Disney World and Scotland. They also shared many happy days out to museums, parks, countryside and the seaside - in particular St Mary’s Bay and Herne Bay; building sand castles and picnicking on the beach.

When Pat’s Sister, Maureen, brought her son, Paul, into the world the family grew once more and Paul, Fred’s loved nephew, joined many a family adventure. Later Paul met his fiancé Eve and had a son of his own, Charlie, who Fred loved.

Once the children had flown the nest Fed and Pat found a passion for Guernsey and holidayed there regularly for many years.

In 2002, Janis fell in love with Darran and Pat and Fred welcomed him with love and open arms to the family. They shared many outings, lunches and dinners together.

Their son, Ian, lived in Slovakia for a few years and it was whilst in Slovakia that Ian met and fell in love with Monika (whom he later married in 2018). They returned to the UK together and in September 2009, Ian and Monika brought Laura into the world. A granddaughter whom Pat and Fred adored.

Tragically in 2009 (his wife) Pat suffered a stroke which left her immobile and unable to speak. Fred remained utterly devoted and cared for her for the next 8 years and the love they shared was never more evident. Pat passed away in Aug 2017 and Fred was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Dementia soon thereafter.

Over the following 5 years he remained at the family home with the support of his family and the invaluable help of Kim, a wonderful carer, who is now a friend. In 2022, Fred suffered several step downs with his dementia which culminated in him needing 24/7 care. He was transferred into Amberley Lodge care home and was visited regularly. Fred was very happy there, loving the company of the other residents and carers.
He particularly loved the music events the home organised and we would spend those days with him and join in with the singing and festivities. His love of music (particularly the crooners and big bands) always remained with him. We will be forever grateful to Kim and all the carers at Amberley Lodge for their kindness, compassion and care.

Fred was ever a kind, generous and gentle man. Happy and content with the life he had built, he wanted nothing more than folks to be good to each other and to be happy. Anyone who knew Fred is going to miss him, his positivity and particularly his smile. The world is just a little bit duller without him, but we can take comfort in knowing he is now reunited with his beloved wife Pat.