George Rolfe (1 Jun 1919 - 3 Jun 2016)

In loving memory of George Rolfe who sadly passed away on 3rd June 2016

George Henry Rolfe
1st June 1919 - 3rd June 2016

Friday 24th June 2016 at 1.15pm
Randalls Park Crematorium
Leatherhead

Entrance Music: 'Spring’ from the Four Seasons - Vivaldi

Welcome

Welcome to you all. My name is Graham Cuthell and I am a member of the Institute of Civil Funerals. Lynda and Cliff have asked me to lead this ceremony for their father, George Henry Rolfe, and at the same time, remembering George's late wife, Joyce, whose service was held here in 2009.

In addition to family and friends here today, there are friends in Canada, New Zealand and around the UK who cannot join us, but we know their thoughts are with us.

As George was not a religious man in the traditional sense, his ceremony today has been arranged by Lynda and Cliff in the way they thought appropriate to celebrate, with happy memories, George’s long life, at the same time acknowledging his demise with dignity and respect.

George lived for ninety seven years; undoubtedly a long life for many, so your sadness, at this time, is softened by that fact. You will each have your own memories of George but your combined memories, love and friendships shared with him, at different times of his life, remain a living tribute to the person he was.

George was a traditional man of his time. As was the custom of his generation, a man went to work and a wife stayed at home to look after the children, preparing meals and caring for the home and family. That said, after Joyce passed away and at the age of 90, he did learn to fry the bacon, boil an egg and pop a ready-meal in the oven!

Supported by family, friends and carers George remained as independent as possible until the end of his life. He was determined to spend the twilight of his life within the familiar surroundings of his own home.
On Friday, 3rd June, after the family had spent all day with Dad, he probably felt, in the quietness of the evening, that maybe he had fought his last boxing bout, and decided to hang up his gloves for good; or had he? It transpired that George had died on the same day as Muhammed Ali. He loved to watch him box in those early days and was now this the chance to find a new sparring partner? He might even have given Muhammed Ali a tip or two about ‘ducking and diving’ and ‘bobbing and weaving’!

Reading: ‘That Man Is A Success’

That man is a success who has lived well,
Laughed often and loved much;
Who has gained the respect of intelligent men and women and the love of
children;
Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;
Who leaves the world better than he found it,
Who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it;
Who looked for the best in others, and gave the best he had.
Adapted from a quote by Robert Louis Stephenson

We will sing together the hymn ‘Morning has broken’. The words are printed in the order of service. Please stand.

Hymn: ‘Morning Has Broken’

Morning has broken, like the first morning;
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them, springing fresh from the word!

Sweet the rain's new fall sunlit from heaven,
like the first dew fall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning
born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God's re-creation of the new day!
Eleanor Farjeon (1881 - 1965)
Please be seated.
Memories of George
George was born on the 1st June 1919 in Colliers Wood, South London, seven months after the end of the First World War. His parents George Henry and Nellie, and his elder sister Winnie, lived at 56 Clarendon Road, Colliers Wood, with a nice garden backing onto the recreation ground. As was quite common in the early 20th century, there was no bathroom, running hot water, proper kitchen and only a cold outside toilet! It was a time, for many, of great hardship and luxuries were few and far between. George’s father, after the war, worked as an engineer for Pascall's the sweet manufacturer, resulting in a steady supply of sweets for his children and later, his grandchildren. George Jnr developed a ‘sweet tooth’ and a love of sweets remained with him throughout his life.
George attended school locally and embraced a love of fitness and sport – he played table tennis, cricket and boxed, not only for the school but then later in the army. He enjoyed the open spaces and the freedom cycling gave and it was nothing for him and friends to cycle to Brighton and back within the day, often only telling his worried mother only on his return!
On leaving school at the age of 14, he became a messenger for a London shipping company before moving to I.C.I. It was in the early days at ICI that he became a member of their Territorial army unit and as history shows, this led him to join the army in World War II.
In 1939, the Second World War made great changes to everyone's life, and George was no exception. In time he found himself in North Africa driving ration trucks as part of the 8th Army fighting both the Germans and Italians, one of the benefits of which was that he was rarely hungry! His military career came to an end in 1945 when he returned home on a hospital ship from Naples having developed frostbite on his toes and a shrapnel wound to the eye.
George met Joyce, who was to become his wife, during the war years, and they were married on the 6th October 1945 in Thakeham Parish Church, West Sussex.
After the war George returned to I.C.I in London, working his way up to become a knowledgeable and highly respected Office Sales Manager in the Dyestuffs Division. He made many friends during his forty five years of service and enjoyed nothing more than playing with colleagues and team mates in the Company cricket team. He was fortunate to have the opportunity to take early retirement at the age of fifty seven.
After the birth of their two children, Lynda and Cliff, George and Joyce moved, in 1950, into a brand new home - 18 Marlowe Square, Mitcham, and it was to become George’s home for the next sixty-five years.
Lynda and Cliff remember their childhood as a happy one. They recalled beach holidays to Hayling Island whilst staying in the home of their maternal grandmother in Portsmouth. Family Christmases were often spent visiting Auntie Winnie and their cousins Marion and Valerie who lived in Molesey. Despite the obvious hardships following the war, George and Joyce were encouraging and supportive of their children in all they did, eventually enabling them to make successful and happy lives of their own.
George became a Freemason in the fifties belonging, latterly to the Captain Coram Lodge. During those sixty plus years as a Freemason, he made many good friends as well as supporting note-worthy and charitable causes.
Following his retirement he found a new love – golf! He joined Epsom Golf Club, making, again, new friends and sharing this love later in the 1990's with his grandsons. He played well into his late 80's, retiring only when he his golfing partners had passed and there was no-one else for him to play with!
George enjoyed social evenings playing snooker and cards. With Joyce, he enjoyed a number of holidays cruising the Mediterranean and simply spending time at their beach hut in Felpham. They visited their family on a regular basis, spending as much time as possible with all the grandchildren. George was a great influence on them. He was happy to play games with them and support and encourage their interests and hobbies. He was devoted too them and they loved him.
George had always been a sociable, friendly person with a very dry sense of humour who enjoyed a drink, or two, combined with the fellowship, camaraderie and humour of his friends. He retained an old fashioned, and some might say, Victorian view on life. Cliff said that a typical comment from Dad, heard many times, would be that “ladies had small feet so they could get nearer to the sink, and as to lady golf members and drivers - well…….!
In his early nineties he realised that the time had come to bring his driving career to an end – a decision which was devastating to him. He had lost his independence and became reliant on family and friends for so many things. It was a regret that he mentioned so many times during the last few years.

Memories of a Grandad

Trying to find just a few words or a couple of stories about Grandad is almost impossible.

It is simply too difficult to sum up, in a few moments today, the lasting impact Grandad has had on the three of us and latterly, as ‘Grandad George’ to Mia, Max, Thomas and Joshua.

Growing up, Grandad was always around – we spent so much time together and did so many things – days out, experiences, quality time – spending hours crab-hunting on Felpham beach where he rented a beach hut for 20 years, mainly for our benefit; taking us all swimming to Banstead or Leatherhead on a Sunday morning, rounds of golf followed by a sandwich in the 19th; trips to Heathrow or Gatwick to sit and watch the planes; runs up and down the street in our go-kart; trips to Superfish; opening stockings on Christmas Day; visiting us at University and going out for meal at the local Harvester; driving over on a Sunday with Nan for a pre-lunch GnT.

He came to our school plays and sports days, and could always be found on the touch-line at school football, rugby and cricket matches and latterly in his deckchair, with binoculars and beer in hand, at Club cricket matches.

Nothing was ever too much trouble; he loved spending time with us and we loved spending time with him. He helped to shape us into the men we are today and we are forever lucky and grateful that he was our Grandad.

He may be gone but his memory and legacy lives on: two children; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren will love him always, will remember him fondly and will never forget him. Rest in peace old boy.

The celebrant continues:

In a moment I will read a prayer followed by the words of committal and music chosen by the family. As you listen to the music I ask you to recall your own memories of George and how his character and interests have influenced your lives.

For those who wish, let us pray.

Prayer

Lord, as we gather in this place to remember George
Accept us for what we are; individuals, with our own unique strengths and weaknesses,
Give us the strength to recall George in our own personal way
And the courage to continue in our own lives in the way that he would have wanted.
Grant us the wisdom to accept that George is now at peace,
That his unique personality can never be replicated, only recalled with joy.
Allow us the time to grieve in the way which is right for us.
And the fortitude, with time, to understand that void we now feel in our lives.
We ask these things in your name, Jesus Christ, our Lord,
Amen.
Please stand as a mark of respect for George.

Committal

As we say our farewell to George these words are intoned with an immense amount of sadness for a loving and devoted father, grandfather, great grand-father, uncle and friend; but let your hearts be comforted by the happy memories of George that will remain with you always.

(The curtain will close around the catafalque as the reflective music plays)

Reflective music: You Raise Me Up - Westlife

Acknowledgements

Lynda and Cliff wish to express their grateful appreciation for the kindness of the carers, caring friends and neighbours who helped support George in later life. They would like to invite everyone to join them afterwards at 21 Burgh Wood, Banstead. The details are printed in the order of service.

Comforting thoughts

George was fortunate with the many friends he made over his lifetime and shared many different interests. He was supportive of his two children, he was immensly proud of his grandchildren – Ross, David and Simon and was delighted to live long enough to see his family grow and to spend precious moments with his four great grandchildren – Thomas, Joshua, Max and Mia.

Lynda and Cliff have chosen the concluding poem as they feel it contains many of the sentiments George would wish you to feel as his ceremony draws to a close.

Poem: ‘Feel No Guilt In Laughter’

Feel no guilt in laughter he'd know how much you care.
Feel no sorrow in a smile that he is not here to share.
You cannot grieve forever; he would not want you to.
He'd hope that you could carry on the way you always do.

So, talk about the good times and the way you showed you cared,
The days you spent together, all the happiness you shared.
Let memories surround you, a word someone may say
Will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day,
That brings him back as clearly as though he were still here,
And fills you with the feeling that he is always near.