Harold Percy Hanslip (13 Mar 1950 - 20 Apr 2021)

In loving memory of Harold Percy Hanslip who sadly passed away on 20th April 2021

Harold Hanslip fondly known to his family and friends as Harry was born on the 13th of March 1950 in Southampton to his parents Maria and Ernest, and a brother to Raymond.

Harry‘s mother Maria was originally from Vienna, but very sadly she passed away in 1953 when Harry was only three years old. It was a highly difficult time for the family to navigate and it was decided that Harry and Raymond would be taken into the care at Dr Barnardo’s . They were able to spend weekends with their Dad but, during the week, they were in the care of the children’s home where they were able to attend school in Regents Park.

It’s fair to say that it would’ve been a very challenging early childhood for Harry and Raymond but I know that there were fond memories of the holidays that they had with Dr Barnardo’s – staying in Swanage, enjoying the beach and the arcade outlets, spending all their pocket money and having fun. In later years Harry used to visit Swanage – this was a place that he continued to love and it evoked many happy memories of those trips away as a young child.

Harry and Raymond also had fond memories of spending time with their aunts and uncles and extended family, which they enjoyed. They used to visit Auntie Vera and Uncle Tom and their cousin Lauren, whom Harry was very close to. They very much enjoyed their weekends spent with them I’m told.

When Harry and Raymond were small, they were fascinated in archaeology and they would spend hours playing and digging for treasure. In those make believe games, they’d turn from archaeologists to curators and would set up little museums to display the findings from their digs !

I’m told that Harry wasn’t particularly a fan of school - he left at 14 and he joined a band called ‘Walking the Dogs’ and also another band named ‘The Crawlers’ which I believe was an alternative to the Beatles! Harry played bass and really loved his time gigging all around Southampton and the surrounding areas. Harry liked his trips up to London where he would come across some famous people occasionally – he was proud of the autographs that he was able to get including the rolling stones and the Beatles some of which Julia still has to this day. Alongside playing for the band – Harry Was an apprentice Welder at Repcon and also worked at Kwickfit.

When Harry was around 17 years of age, he started employment at the docks and went to work on the tugs. He particularly enjoyed that job and continued in that role until he started his own business and set up a stall at Kingsland Market selling household cleaning products. He did door to door deliveries too. In later years he progressed and expanded his empire by opening a shop on Regents Park Road, swapping from all the weathers of market life to the comfort of indoors ! During this time in his early 20’s Harry met Kim and together they were blessed with the arrival of their son Jamie, born on the 13th of August 1975. They ran the business together .. Sadly a few years later the relationship broke down and they went their separate ways but, Harry was very much a part of Jamie‘s life and, they continued to be very much part of each other’s lives as Jamie grew up into adult hood.

In 1978 Harry met Julia at a party through her brother-in-law who was friends with Harry. They started dating -they were both single parents with a son each and thought it would be a good idea to get together with their boys.. Jamie and Julia‘s son Garry - A romance blossomed and the blended family came together and set up home together in Lordswood.

Harry was a man of many talents and with Julia’s help, they set up and ran a party plan company called “ Temptation” and I’m told this business was a great success.

Harry decided to become a mature student in the late 90’s - he took an HND course at Eastleigh College for Electronics and Communications, followed by a Degree course as well. Whilst studying Harry, would top up his student loan by repairing and building computers and selling them on, many of his friends and family would call this side-line ‘ dog hair computers’ as sometimes, there would be the odd dog hair inside the computer case from his believed German Shepherd dog . Harry loved German Shepard dogs which sprang from his childhood dog Tasso. He was very attached to Tasso who got him through some hard times in his younger years. He and Julia owed 5 more German Shepherds over the years, Max, Rudy, Shelly 1, Shelly 2 and their current dog Amber.

Once Harry had completed his degree, he took a Cisco Trainers course and armed with this qualification and his HND and Degree - he began teaching Cisco courses at Southampton Institute and also over at Crawley college two days a week. Harry particularly enjoyed this profession and was very well thought of as a lecturer. He continued teaching until 2003.

Harry loved to travel and he and Julia travelled the world. He did everything he wanted to do on his journeys and enjoyed scuba-diving in many destinations. They visited the most amazing places including the Far East and Australia and Julia and Harry ended up spending spent many of their Christmases’ in Thailand. They also owned a property in Spain which they enjoyed visits to throughout the year with their family and friends - Harry would enjoy taking people out to Spain for some rest and relaxation.

Julia was made redundant in 2003, it was then that Harry decided to retire from lecturing and they both made the decision to move to Cyprus in December of that year. They enjoyed their life in Cyprus for 8 years but, in 2011 Harry’s health deteriorated and he was diagnosed with blood cancer. Although this was managed well initially, it was felt then that if any treatment were required that it would be best that they relocated back to the UK.

Harry and Julia were still able to enjoy their travels... it wasn’t long before they had settled back in the UK that they embarked on a fabulous trip to the USA – travelling on Route 66 from Chicago to California – a trip which they thoroughly enjoyed, taking in Las Vegas along the way.

In 2012 Harry received a stem cell transplant, he was in hospital for some time and although there were a few complications afterwards, once he had gained strength and gone through some rehabilitation he was able to come home thankfully.

With more time at home - Harry re-learned to play the guitar again as he used to play bass in his youth but this time he taught himself to play lead guitar. He really enjoyed music and loved playing in his music room. Harry was also an avid Saints fan and really enjoyed watching the Red Army play. He was very handy around the house and happy to tinker and mend many things.. never one to throw anything out I’m told – if it could be repaired- Harry would fix it.

Jamie had a good relationship with his dad, they were close. He helped guide Jamie on his own career – he tells me of many memories of great holidays together with him and the family and with Julia and Garry Jamie and Harry used to have good debates and I’m told, like to have a good moan together !

Since Harry‘s transplant, he had suffered with various infections, particularly in his chest and had had many viruses throughout the years. His health deteriorated further a month or so ago and Harry was admitted into hospital. From there he was moved to the Oakhaven Hospice for a brief stay. After some time back at home, sadly Harry’s condition worsened, and he was readmitted into hospital.

A huge loss to Julia and Jamie, a much-loved partner and dad who will be sorely missed.

You can shed tears that he has gone.
Or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back.
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left.