Graham Batchelor (Passed away 26 Feb 2016)

In loving memory of Graham Batchelor who sadly passed away on 26th February 2016...

The family would love to hear memories you have of Dad and to see any pictures that you may have.

I’ve known I would have to write this since Dad was diagnosed with cancer and given six months to live but that hasn’t made it any easier. The family were hopeful Dad would live beyond this so we were shocked when he unexpectedly passed away after just four months. All I could personally think was how unfair it was – he was only 73 and people live a lot longer than that! My other thoughts were of the things he wouldn’t be around for. But I know today is to be a celebration of his life…And so this is my Dad’s tribute.

I’m sure everyone here knows my Dad was a bit grumpy, he liked a good moan but I think he was just passionate about what he believed in… he was a character, humorously grumpy, a good, honest, kind, generous and caring man.

My Dad, Graham Richard John Batchelor grew up in Addison Road with his older brother David to working class parents, Elizabeth and Richard John Carrick who were known as Lily and Jack. Sadly their marriage ended in divorce but this led to Dad gaining a new family of brothers and sisters, many of whom are here today. Dad’s middle names came from his father but the family tradition was to be given the name Carrick and I’m sure a few here today have that name – I’m not really sure why Dad didn’t.

Dad met Mum when he was 22 in The New Inn pub and they married when he was 30. He said the song ‘Something tells me I’m into something good’ was their song. They lived together in Bishops Waltham where they had Victoria, Richard and Kathryn, and then they had me after moving to Sarisbury Green. For many years we had my Nanny live with us and my parents also opened our home to many of our childhood friends.

Dad was married to my Mum for just four days short of their 43rd wedding anniversary. The card from Mum to Dad now lays unopened in his hand. My Dad used to always put the neighbours bins out and on a one occasion my parents were sent a letter that they’d put the wrong items in the recycling bin. My Mum remembers Dad being furious at this and tells me he rang the council to tell them they’d sent it to the wrong address and how much time and effort his wife put into doing the rubbish correctly.

Dad enjoyed sport and as a young boy he played football. A story I remember hearing repeatedly was about when Dad was a linesman. He disagreed with the referees’ decision about something and in true Dad fashion told him so – This led to Dad being given a red card which I’m sure you can imagine didn’t go down too well either.
For many years we watched him play indoor cricket, something he won lots of trophies for. He enjoyed the horses and to have a bet but his real love was football and supporting his team Pompey. He was a true blue but we knew he was always happy to see all the local teams win. Mostly he watched on TV, his favourite saying was the best form of defence is attack and whenever there was an attack, he would tell us a goal was about to be scored. Victoria inherited Dad’s love of sport and betting – And she tells me it is very apt that today is the first day of Cheltenham.

Dad loved cooking and made the best macaroni cheese and roast dinners. If you were fortunate enough to dine on my Dad’s home cooking then I’m sure you’d have your own favourite dish. I will always be able to hear him saying get out of the kitchen while I’m cooking, this was his time, and he would enjoy a glass of wine and tidy as he went. Only calling us when it came to serving up, something he never enjoyed doing.

Dad was very proud of his garden. As children he’d yell at us to stay of the grass and away from his flowers. He was always keen to show people what he was growing and give away his fruit and vegetables. This leads us to a story which Richard wanted to share… When Richard took Dad’s Volvo to the garage the mechanic said he remembered Dad because he’d generously given him a bag of home grown apples. He told Richard he really appreciated this, that is until he was driving home and started to hear a buzzing noise… he had to promptly pull over and make a quick dash to escape a swarm of wasps which were in with the apples!

For some reason Dad had a fear of flying, Mum says he had real nightmares about it and he never flew once in his life. His dream holidays were cruises and Mum took him on the first for his 50th birthday. Mum and Dad took up ballroom dancing and enjoyed this for a number of years, meeting some of the dancing stars of Strictly long before they became famous. His favourite music to dance to we have already heard, that was for a slow waltz and Mum says he always insisted on dancing when that were played.

Dad worked hard to provide for our family. When Victoria was a baby Dad fished for oysters along the River Hamble, giving his younger brother Anthony his first job. Dad was once a welder and a garden landscaper for show homes but spent the majority of his years working in a postal sorting office, a job he still said he loved and missed in his final months. Dad used to work nightshifts and when I had a paper round, would head to bed as I was about to go out, I’ll always remember him driving me around on mornings when it rained. After his retirement and while he was able, Dad spent more time doing the things he loved.

I’m told that my Dad was the life and soul of the Sarisbury Social Club and some say that the place isn’t the same without him. Saturdays were spent with good friends including Darren, Colin and Pete listening as the football scores came in and enjoying the banter that went with supporting different teams.
Darren told us about another occasion when some were doing shots of sambuca and while Dad went to the bathroom, Darren lined up some drinks for them. When Dad returned, Darren encouraged him to down one, ‘bloody disgusting’ Dad said but Darren persuaded him to have a couple more – before eventually revealing it had just been water!

My Dad suffered a health scare many years ago. I was too young to remember but I know on the doctor’s advice he gave up smoking and years later he even offered Kathryn £1000 if she stopped. Many years later it was alcohol Dad was told to give up and he did this without any hesitation.

We’re all so happy that Dad was able to know his granddaughter and two grandsons, and give away Kathryn on her wedding day. We will forever cherish all the memories we do have of Dad while remaining heart broken that there can be no new ones.

Anya-Lily, Dad’s 7 year old granddaughter was too young to be here today, she knows we are all gathered to say goodbye to Gramps but how would Kathryn explain he wouldn’t be waving at us all from a big screen. She wrote a card saying that we all love and miss you.

My Dad was always doing something for someone and I guess I can’t finish his story without acknowledging that so many of you knew him as the egg man. For those who didn’t, this was a nickname Dad inherited because he collected and delivered farm eggs to so many people. How ever you knew my Dad, our family hope you’ll always remember him fondly.