Kenneth Raymond Basilio (5 Apr 1937 - 18 Dec 2016)

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KennethVulcan To The Sky Trust

£147.18 + Gift Aid of £25.00
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Location
Rose Hill Crematorium Cantley Lane Doncaster DN4 6NE
Date
12th Jan 2017
Time
2pm
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In loving memory of Kenneth Raymond Basilio who died peacefully at Elm Park Care Home, Woodlands, Doncaster at five minutes past midnight on Sunday 18th December 2016.

The dearly loved husband of Maureen, dear Dad of Cath and Gail.

The RAF was Dad's life for 40 years and Mum found and read him this poem recently. It was written by a young Canadian pilot in the second world war who died at only 19 years of age, Dad would have understood what he was writing about.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr

Jacqui Williams lit a candle
Jacqui Williams wrote

Ken you made us smile and you are missed very much x

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Marcelle Johnson posted a picture
Singapore.

Singapore.

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Anna . donated £10 in memory of Kenneth

Ken, a little something for your favourite aircraft. Anna

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Maureen Basilio donated £20 in memory of Kenneth

My donation for a fantastic 'Lady of the Skies' Vulcan XH 558 in memory of my dear husband Ken who 'put the wind beneath her wings'.

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Cath Basilio posted a picture
The flag was a perfect touch and the coffin top spray of ivory coloured flowers made by Gail was a perfect tribute.

The flag was a perfect touch and the coffin top spray of ivory coloured flowers made by Gail was a perfect tribute.

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  • Beautiful flowers xx

    Posted by Jacqui on 1/02/2020 Report abuse
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Prim Williamson donated in memory of Kenneth
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Cath Basilio posted a picture
Dad arriving at Stirling Avenue in Bawtry for his 'last flight' on Thursday 12th January 2017.

Dad arriving at Stirling Avenue in Bawtry for his 'last flight' on Thursday 12th January 2017.

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Valerie Anne Murray-Basilio lit a candle
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Anita Leversidge posted a picture
Always, always fixing and tinkering with things!

Always, always fixing and tinkering with things!

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  • Weeze in 1979 maybe? When you came to stay and we had the 'escaping chicken' pic-nic.

    Posted by Cath on 15/01/2017 Report abuse
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Anita Leversidge donated £10 in memory of Kenneth

I knew Ken for 38 years. Always a warm smile and gentle encouragement for me, I wasn't even family but he made me feel like I was.

A wonderful gentleman and father.

Love Anita

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Victoria Smith-Machnow donated in memory of Kenneth

Time may pass and fade away,
But memories of you will always stay.

We will remember Ken
With love his niece Vicki with family

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  • He's with his sister now which will be a great comfort to him and he'd love you've helped his favourite aircraft keep running a bit longer. Love to you all in Germany.xxx

    Posted by Cath on 15/01/2017 Report abuse
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DAVID BRAITHWAITE donated £20 in memory of Kenneth
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David Vickery wrote

Well Ken,

You have reached that final parade. Don't worry old chap, I will eventually catch you up. Looking back to the day we joined the RAF together, 9th October 1952, I have fond memories of our boyhood friendship, in the 17th Entry of RAF Boy Entrants. We passed out together and went to our first posting together, at RAF Bassingbourn in Hertfordshire. We worked on the famous Canberra Bomber.

I left you in 1955 and we did not meet again until the re-union in 2002, nearly fifty years later. The same old Ken appeared at the RAFBEA re-union, soft of voice, gentle, and pleasant to know. God speed dear friend. My deepest sympathy and sincere condolences go to Maureen, Gail and Cath and all of your wider family.

Dave.

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  • What beautiful words and lovely memories. I am so happy to hear that your friendship as boys was rekindled all those years later. much love to you and all Dad's RAF family.xx

    Posted by Cath on 10/01/2017 Report abuse
  • Dave, your words were an inspiration for the style of Dad's obituary, you might not have been able to be there but made a significant contribution nonetheless.

    Posted by Cath on 15/01/2017 Report abuse
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David Vickery posted a picture
Pass out Day 6 May 1954. Ken is top left and Dave Vickery is bottom right.

Pass out Day 6 May 1954. Ken is top left and Dave Vickery is bottom right.

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  • Wow I can't believe you were all so young, only 15 or so.

    Posted by Cath on 8/01/2017 Report abuse
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David Vickery donated £20 in memory of Kenneth
RAFBEA Re-union Sept 2014. L to R. Dave Vickery, Graham 'Lil' Lilley and George 'Tiny' Hill. Unfortunately, Ken was unable to attend. Dave and Tiny joined, together with Ken, the 17th Entry of RAF Boy Entrants, on 6th October 1952.

RAFBEA Re-union Sept 2014. L to R. Dave Vickery, Graham 'Lil' Lilley and George 'Tiny' Hill. Unfortunately, Ken was unable to attend. Dave and Tiny joined, together with Ken, the 17th Entry of RAF Boy Entrants, on 6th October 1952.

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  • Wonderful photos I've never seen these before look at dad posing!

    Posted by Gail on 9/01/2017 Report abuse
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Marcelle Johnson posted a picture
Ken has been a part of my life from my earliest memories in Singapore. Our families seemed to follow each other around the world, Singapore, Scampton, Germany.  I have many happy memories of those times and staying with you during school holidays. xxx

Ken has been a part of my life from my earliest memories in Singapore. Our families seemed to follow each other around the world, Singapore, Scampton, Germany. I have many happy memories of those times and staying with you during school holidays. xxx

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Leo Hickey donated £20 in memory of Kenneth

To Ken,
Very happy landings at the end of your final flight. When I first moved to London in 1998 I was very grateful for a familiar, friendly face in unfamiliar surroundings. Thanks so much for helping me settle in.

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  • Ahhhh that's lovely Leo. I'm Glad Dad could offer his friendship and advice, it set a trend as you were the first of several lodgers that he welcomed.

    Posted by Cath on 6/01/2017 Report abuse
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Cath Basilio posted a picture

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  • A family photo session at Centre Parcs in 2015 definitely showed us all in our best light!

    Posted by Cath on 3/01/2017 Report abuse
  • Lovely photo

    Posted by Elaine on 7/01/2017 Report abuse
  • This is a lovely photo of both of you , we became neighbours in 1998, although we did not see much of one another , when we did meet up over the fence for a friendly catch up, our talk was always enjoyable. You were a lovely person Ken and we will carry on listening out for and watching over your beloveded Maureen , god bless xx Chris & Andy LB

    Posted by Chris on 9/01/2017 Report abuse
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  • Dad at the Forum in Sheffield in 2015 celebrating his birthday with 'Biggles' who we bought at the National Motorcycle Museum where we went for Dad's birthday. A trip down memory lane for Mum & Dad.

    Posted by Cath on 3/01/2017 Report abuse
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  • Dad at Centre Parcs in 2015

    Posted by Cath on 3/01/2017 Report abuse
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Cath Basilio posted a picture

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  • Dad holding me in Singapore

    Posted by Cath on 3/01/2017 Report abuse
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Gail Basilio lit a candle
Cath Basilio donated £20 in memory of Kenneth
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Maureen Basilio lit a candle
Maureen Basilio wrote

I love the profile photo I took of Ken at Devils Dyke in Sussex 1959. I took the picture when we stopped to look at the view on one of our many motorbike rides while courting. I still love and miss you xxx

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