Christopher William Edward Etherdo-Sibley (2 Sep 1941 - 17 Jul 2015)

In loving memory of Christopher William Edward Etherdo-Sibley who sadly passed away on 17th July 2015.

Family flowers may be sent to John Weir, Rainham by 4:30pm Thursday

Donations for the British Heart Foundation may be made on-line or by cheque, made payable to the charity sent c/o John Weir.

Chris Etherdo-Sibley was born on 2nd September 1941 in Farnborough, Kent. He was one of three children born to Alice and Bill. His sisters Glenda and Stephanie were both younger than him. As a baby he was evacuated away from the bombing of the Second World War. He was billeted to a really nice family in Halifax, Yorkshire. Children in those days had few possessions but the family made him wooden toys of which he was very proud.

Later he returned home and went on to leave school at the age of fourteen to take up an apprenticeship. He trained in a college in London as a diamond mounter, a career he pursued until 1999 when he suffered a heart attack and illness forced his retirement. Even then he would help his friend John out with valuations occasionally.

He was very good at his work. He would attend Goldsmith’s Hall every year and he once set a ring for Elizabeth Taylor which he subsequently saw displayed in a shop window in Spain. In recognition of his services he was made a Freeman of the City of London, the main benefit of which seems to have been the right to herd sheep over London Bridge. As far as we know he never did it, but if ever he decided to do so, he would have had the right to do it.

London was important for another reason. Chris would travel to work there every day and his regular journey meant he met up with Joan, who worked at a chemist shop near to Albany Park Train Station. Chris would walk her home and eventually, on the 19th April 1958, they married.

Together they had three daughters; Sharon, Beverly and Tracey. Chris was a very family oriented man and loved them dearly although he showed he cared in different ways. He took the family camping but the New Forrest in the rain was not an ideal place. The family sat in the car watching Chris trying to put up the tent in the wind and rain. That could be what put him off camping.

Life doesn’t always go the way we play or even wish it to go. In the late 1980s, after twenty five years of marriage, Chris and Joan separated and then divorced

In later life, when Beverly became ill, Chris would sit with her, comforting her which enabled her husband Ian to go to work. His love and support was much appreciated. To amuse her he would switch the TV to show cowboy and Indian films. I’m not sure if that was for her benefit or his.

Chris and Karen attended many family celebrations/ New Year with Tracey and her family.

Not only did Chris have 5 children, he delighted in his 7 Grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren

Most of us should consider ourselves lucky if we meet one good partner in our lives. In 1992 Chris had the good fortune to meet a second, Karen in our local working man’s club. Chris did not demonstrate his affection all the time but he was immensely proud of Kevin, his first son, and Kevin’s academic achievements. And he was hugely supportive of Louis, his second son, and his apprenticeship as a carpenter.

Chris had played a lot of football as a young man, until his legs could not take the pace any more, and now he and Karen would take Louis to football practice and matches, dedicating a lot of time to help him progress. Of course, things weren’t very simple for young Louis. When he was in Junior School, aged about ten, the teacher asked the class if anyone was doing something nice over the weekend. “yes” said Louis “I’m going to my sister Sharon’s birthday party”. “How old is she?” enquired the teacher. “Fifty” he truthfully replied. The teacher had a long chat with Chris, thinking Louis was, exaggerating or something.

Even though he was caring for a family, Chris still found time to potter around in the garden, growing his flowers, and he was a keen coarse fisherman. One day, not so long ago, he was outside a bait and tackle shop when he met up with Eric. Chris and Eric had been friends for a long time when younger. Chris would travel the trains to London and Eric worked on the railways and so they met frequently. About ten or fifteen years ago circumstances meant their paths diverged and they hadn’t seen each other for some time but they met again three years ago and were firm friends once more.

There are so many happy memories collected over the years. And we can use those memories to support us in the future, as is explained in this poem, written by Stephanie.

Memories

Our memories are what we have left
and a lesson we will never forget,
The time has come when time is no more
and all that’s left was once before.

The memories so dear and true
those memories of us and you,
Although we fell and stumbled at times
all those hills were necessary climbs.

All the times when your heart shone through
are the greatest memories we have of you,
We will always remember you brother of mine
in our hearts we will keep you so we will be fine.

We will go forward with heads held high
It will be hard! I wont lie!
But in our hearts you will always be
moving forwards you and me

Rest is peace with God above
and wait! It’s not the end
We’ll meet again in heaven my brother,
husband, dad, granddad, great granddad and our friend