George Albert Callaby (1 Jan 1937 - 8 May 2019)

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GeorgeSt George's Hospital Charity, Neuro Appeal

£450.00 + Gift Aid of £87.50
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Location
Woking Crematorium Hermitage Rd, Woking GU21 8TJ
Date
23rd May 2019
Time
1pm
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In loving memory of George Albert Callaby who sadly passed away at St Peters Hospital on 8th May 2019.
George will be sadly missed by his beloved wife Silvana, devoted father of Richard, Jeremy, Ladina and Alex and all his family.

At the age of 26 years old, Dad was admitted to St George's Atkinson Morley Wing, in Tooting, to undergo major brain surgery to remove a large aggressive tumour that would forever become a life changing event. At the time back in 1963, this kind of surgery was considered too high risk and Dad’s chances of survival were very slim, but equally without removing the tumour Dad’s lifespan would be shortened. The decision was made to proceed with the operation which was successful, but resulted in Dad being in a coma for 3 months and required a further 2 years of hospitalised rehabilitation. During this time Dad had to completely relearn the basics of life that we all take for granted e.g. from how to walk and talk, to eating and reading, to enable him to get back to a more normal life.
Life would never be the same for Dad, he spent the rest of his life on strong medication and lived with epilepsy until his final days. But through these years Dad showed the determination to never give up and ultimately fought back and established a relatively normal life that would be maintained for many years to come.
Then in July 2008 whilst cleaning the gutters Dad had a tragic accident, falling from a ladder head first on to the concrete patio below. He was rushed to hospital and once again was sent to the specialist brain injury unit at St George's Atkinson Morley Wing. He would be there for nearly three months recovering from what was a near fatal accident. During this time we thought we would lose Dad and he was so ill that he missed our brother Alex and Lucy's wedding as a result. Eventually Dad returned home, but as he slowly recovered we all noticed that he had changed as a result of the brain injuries incurred.
Whilst Dad’s mobility and speech were clearly affected, he continued to live another 11 years, but the Dad we all knew was fading. Sadly during his final years his body was under too much stress and strain so he suffered a number of set-backs, including a stroke and more recently lung collapses and breathing difficulties related to the late diagnosis and onset of COPD. This year he was in and out of hospital several times after losing his balance and falling, and finally he passed away in St Peter’s Hospital of a cardiac arrest in the early hours of the 8th May.
During the years of managing his condition, Dad maintained his determination to fight adversity and recover, like a cat with nine lives. We were all amazed at his strength and iron constitution, and ability to bounce back. In recent weeks when discussing this with him he said it was important that you ‘never give up’. I think we all have those qualities in us.

St George's Hospital and the Atkinson Morley Wing have a special significance for the Callaby family and the great work they do is testament to the long life Dad continued to live until this past week.
St George’s Hospital is internationally renowned and a world leader in Neurosciences. Please check this link for more information: https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/service/neuro Like many of these organisations they rely upon generous public support and we ask that rather than sending flowers to the funeral that you consider donating to the St George's Hospital Charity, Neuro Appeal in the Just Giving link provided, so that we can help others that need St George’s excellent medical care

Jeremy Callaby donated £50 in memory of George

In loving memory George Callaby
Thank you to all for helping Dad throughout his life, you will be missed Love Jeremy Debbie, Rebecca, Hannah Karl and River XX

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Graham Hancock donated £100 in memory of George

With deepest sympathy from Audrey, Janet and Graham and families.

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Ladina Baker donated £105 in memory of George

Sleep peacefully dad - love you x

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Alex Callaby donated £55 in memory of George
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Tom Callaby donated £50 in memory of George

Goodbye Grandad. We will miss you very much. Thank you to St George’s for looking after him. Love Tom and Caroline x

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Richard Callaby donated £110 in memory of George

Thank you to St George's Atkinson Morley Wing for the excellent medical care and support you provided to my father during his life time until recently when he passed away at the grand age of 82. Without the excellent support of your Doctors, Nurses and staff he wouldn't have survived all these years and we remain indebited to you. In honour of our father's memory we have asked friends and family to generously support your charity appeal so that others may benefit from the excellent neuro medical support your provide.

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Richard Callaby wrote

Thank you to St George's Atkinson Morley Wing for the excellent medical care and support you provided to my father during his life time until recently when he passed away at the grand age of 82. Without the excellent support of your Doctors, Nurses and staff he wouldn't have survived all these years and we remain indebited to you. In honour of our father's memory we have asked friends and family to generously support your charity appeal so that others may benefit from the excellent neuro medical support your provide.

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Richard Callaby wrote

Thank you to St George's Hospital Atkinson Morley Wing for all the great care and medical support you have provided to my father during his life time until recently when he sadly passed away at the grand age of 82. Without your wonderful medical support and expertise he wouldn't have survived this long and we are forever indebted to the Doctors and Nurses through the years that allowed Dad to live a long and mainly normal life. We hope our donation to you in memory of our father helps somebody else in their time of need.

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