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| David and Kathie in April 2015 |
Only ten weeks after the initial diagnosis, David died at his home in Cheshire, surrounded by his family. One of his fabulous Macmillan Nurses was also there giving help and comfort to the whole family. We like to think that he died with a smile in his heart as his beloved Manchester City had beaten arch rivals United for the fourth meeting in a row. David's son Lee told him of the win and he gave a very weak thumbs-up sign. Within a couple of hours he passed away leaving all the incredible pain which had been building viciously.
We had not been able to see him within the last couple of weeks as his wife Kathy had asked for space and privacy but we had seen him a couple of times after his diagnosis so were able to talk to him for brief periods.
The funeral took place in Cheshire and David had planned it all himself including the music. It was a beautiful humanist service and David's coffin was white and covered in pictures of footballs. Mourners were asked to wear any colour they liked and to celebrate David's life and considerable achievements rather than simply mourn his passing. Some people came in Manchestre City supporter's scarves. David's brother Paul wore a red tie and in his eulogy said that after 60 years of arguing with David about Man City and Man United he could now have the last word. Many of David's friends were there including The Loonies from Milnrow in Rochdale who are a small charity organization. They all sang Jerusalem as a final tribute. We adjourned to David's local pub after the service for a potato pie meal and a few drinks before we took our leave.
Shortly after the funeral David received an obituary in the Manchester City match day programme. An honour indeed!
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Our initial delay in leaving for Spain was "meant to be" as Kathie put it and we were both so glad that we were able to be with the family during these final few weeks rather than simply flying in for the funeral.
So we rearranged our travel plans, took Kathie's car to the transporter's premises in Preston and took our leave of England.
It was so different travelling through France in early winter rather than the summer months when we were usually there. Bare trees, fog, heavy rain, dark evenings, we had 'em all. We skipped the short holiday we had planned in Carcassonne and drove straight home arriving in late November.
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