Paul Pettit (15 Nov 1924 - 13 Sep 2022)

In loving memory of Paul Pettit who died peacefully at Ipswich Hospital on Tuesday 13 September 2022.

His eldest daughter Penny, said: "Dad was always warm and loving. His priority all his life was his family. He was always there to support his daughters no matter how tired he was. We were his 'little girls'. Always. We loved him with all our hearts, as he did us. He was the most amazing dad and he had a life well lived. We will truly miss him."

Paul was a father to Penny and Peggy, a grandfather to James, Kathryn, William and Frances and a great-grandfather to Jamie, Elijah and Molly.

Paul was born in Fore Street, Ipswich on the 15th November 1924.

Under the pretence of being 18 years old, Paul joined the Fleet Air Arm at the age of 17. He served in the Second World War as a rear gunner on the biplane torpedo bomber the Fairey Swordfish.

Paul met his wife Pamela serving behind the bar at the California Club, which was run by Pam's parents Isabel and Henry Wright, in 1947. They courted for five years and were married at St Andrew's Church in Rushmere on June 6, 1953.

The pair celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on June 6, 2022 and Penny commented: "It gave him so much pleasure. In an interview conducted by the East Anglian Daily Times, Paul described the wedding as "remarkable" and lovingly reflected on their 69 years of "marvellous marriage". When asked the secret to their long-lasting marriage, Paul turned to Pam and jokingly said: "Why are you stuck with me?" Pam simply replied: "I love him."

Their first daughter, Penny, was born in 1956 and their second, Peggy, in 1958. While the couple raised their young daughters, Paul worked at Suffolk Lawnmowers and Cranes and the family lived in Mersea Road in Ipswich.

They moved to Hertfordshire in 1960 and Paul worked as a factory manager in Palmers Green, North London.

In 1963, Paul and Pamela decided to move to Bacton to take over The Bull pub and use the land to start a pig farm. This venture expanded and the family moved to Cherry Tree Cottage Farm in Bacton.

Paul retired to Ipswich in 1985 and became involved in lawn green bowls playing for Westerfield Bowls Club and Stowmarket Indoor Bowls Club.

Paul was a keen traveller and his favourite place to visit with Pam was the Cook Islands in the South Pacific Ocean.

At the beginning of this month, Paul became unwell but was determined to stay at home to care for Pamela.
Penny said: "He only went into Ipswich Hospital for the last four days and died peacefully on Tuesday, September 13."

Paul's funeral service will take place on Monday, October 3 at 3.15pm at the West Chapel, Ipswich Crematorium. Family flowers only please but donations to Macmillan Cancer Support can be made via this site; this was a charity close to Paul's heart.

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-warm-and-loving-family-man-from-ipswich-9274158