Franklin George Gayle (Passed away 25 May 2024)

In loving memory of Franklin George Gayle who sadly passed away on 25th May 2024

Franklin George Gayle was born on the 10th of April 1937, to Edith Rochester and David Gayle in the parish of Mocho Clarendon Jamacia.

Franklin also known as Man-Man to his Jamaican family, was the youngest child and had five sisters, starting with Sislyn, Hycilda, Daphne, Eunice, and Lilian, he also had seven brothers starting with Joshua, Victor, Clifton, Wilbert, Levi, Rudolf, and Nelson. There were also younger twins who never survived, so a total of fifteen children were born unto his parents Edith and David Gayle.
After working the land on his father’s property as a young man, which he often complained about, Franklin started his working life as a trainee carpenter in Jamacia and fathered his first child who he named, George. Like many Jamaicans of that time, Franklin sort a new life in England and followed in the footsteps of some of his older siblings, leaving Jamacia in 1962. Upon arrival, Franklin lived with his sister Sislyn and her husband Philip Atkinson in Battersea, London and worked for brief period on the building sites of London during the bitter winter of 1962. Franklin would often complain about the days in which he held a chisel whilst his friend pounded it with a sledge hammer to break rumble. Franklin would then try to warm his cold numb hands under a hot water pipe and would describe the agony that caused, and how he thought that he had made a mistake coming to cold England. In his time here, Franklin, fathered two more sons, Earl, and Kevin. Franklin then worked at Harrod's on the elevators which is where he met Janet Thorpe and a relationship blossomed and marriage followed. They started their new life in a rented property in Garrett Lane Tooting and they had three children, Julie, Geoffrey, and Andrew. Franklin then managed to get a maintenance engineers role for London Underground Corporation. After 3 years the family moved to a council flat in Putney Vale, Roehampton, London, they lived there for a few years before they decided to start a new life in Southampton in 1975 near to his sister Lilian Benn. Franklyn and Janet bought their first property in Vespasian Road and Franklyn continued to work for London Transport because his planned job at the local Fords factory fell through due to the delays in moving from London. Franklin found it difficult to commute to London every day, which he did for a period of time, so he left London Transport Corporation and worked in a factory for a short while before starting a new career as a bus conductor and finally a driver for Southampton City Bus Corporation. After almost 20 years of service Franklin had to retire due to ill health but continued to enjoy his retirement and growing family.

Franklin was married to Janet Thorpe for 58 years, they started their marriage in a challenging time when mixed race relationships were frowned upon and not readily accepted in British society, but the strength of their love through very trying times and challenges endures until this day. They were best friends, and their relationship is a testament to their commitment, loyalty, common values, and love.

Franklin was an extremely popular and well-known man of Southampton and was recognized wherever he went and would often be distracted from his errands to stop and chat and laugh out loud with many people of all backgrounds. He was kind, had a very warm heart and infectious laugh and all that knew him loved him, especially his family. He was a very proud, principled, and private man, who didn't keep too many close friends as he would often say, mainly due to his tough life experiences and his upbringing in Jamacia, however he did have a very close relationship with Mr Benn who was his sister Lilian's husband and they share many hours together. Franklin loved his allotments, his gardens, rearing chickens, and growing crops. He loved watching wrestling and boxing, he especially loved some of the greats such as Mohamed Ali and would watch their fights, sometimes until the early hours. He loved Don Quarrie, the Jamaican 100-meter sprinter who carried the flag for his home country Jamaica back in the day and would often speak about his pride for his Fathers friendship with Jamaican Prime Minister Bustamante. Franklin also loved a game of dominos and had a passion for horse racing and would often be lucky and win money, which he would share as he was very superstitious. Franklin, in his younger days loved music and would play his beloved Steriogram flip records, with songs blaring out especially on a Sunday morning, records such as Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, Chubby Checker, Jonny Nash and Jimmy Cliff. Everybody loved his Chicken and rice and peas, and it was a special treat when he cooked. Franklin really loved his mother Edith Rochester and would often speak so lovingly of her, she had an incredibly special place in his heart, he was also especially respectful and protective of his elder sister Lilian Benn, and he cared for her in her later years when she suffered from ill health. Franklin also loved his Grandchildren and they loved him.

Franklin was a spiritual and religious man and a few hours after his passing, a miraculous event happened. A huge swarm of Honey Bees flew over the house and settled over the garden, within a short time the Honey Bees settled on a wooden post in the Garden where Franklin used to host his family when they came to visit, it was a very moving and wonderful experience and sight to behold to all who witnessed. The Honeybees only left around 5pm when the doctor arrived and confirmed Franklins passing. This event was so comforting that we believe that it was a sign from Franklin to say that he is with his family, and they are all together again in paradise.

Franklin has left a massive hole in his family’s hearts and lives and will be missed forever.