Michael ''Mick'' O'Grady (27 Oct 1945 - 4 Dec 2015)

In loving memory of Michael ''Mick'' O'Grady who sadly passed away on 4th December 2015

Dad expressed that anyone who attends his funeral wears bright and colourful clothing, he wants the day to be a celebration and not one of mourning. He also said that he did not want flowers so we are asking anyone who wishes to make a floral tribute, to donate the money using the link on the right to St Christopher's Hospice. If we manage to raise £1000 then a brass leaf will go up on the tribute wall at the Hospice in Dad's name. We will be releasing helium balloons at the Forum after the service. If you want to bring a balloon along and join us then please feel free to do so.

Husband, Dad, Grandad, Brother and Friend, these are just some of the ways that we remember Mick. Born and raised in London spending much of his childhood years in and around Tooting, he was our very own Wolfie Smith.
He grew up with his loving Mum and stepdad, and his three sisters Molly, Mary and Mandy.

At the ripe old age of 20 he met Brenda Donovan at the Orchid ballroom in Purley, Croydon. They married the following year on Halloween 1966. Ever the romantic he took his new bride to the tax office and then off to the cinema to watch the world cup in colour. They set up home in New Addington where he became the proud father of three children, Donna, Karl and Collette. Mick and Brenda despite having a big family of their own chose to also become foster parents and carers to several neglected and abused children over the years. This carried on way beyond the fostering stage as they also provided family and support to both Mark and Jack who they always considered as sons and treated as part of the family.

Over the years Mick moved from job to job (ducking and diving for the most part) until he decided that his future lay in the public services, oh alright he was a publican. After a less than successful start at the King William the fourth pub in Chelsea, he finally found his home and place of happiness at the Coach and Horses in Burnhill Road Beckenham. The family had several fantastic years at this pub and it became the home turf of not just immediate but wider family as well.

Eventually the lure of pub life pulled the family away from Beckenham to Chislehurst and then off on adventures running pubs in Ightham, Sevenoaks and Edenbridge before returning to Bromley to the Prince Fredrick. The advent of all day opening finally signalled the end of pub life and Dad and Mum decided to change tack and careers.

This was the point where Mick became a bus driver after having tried his hand as a general builder and decorater, which by the way he was terrible at. Bus driving became a huge part of Micks life and he went on to successfully working in this job not just in London, but also onwards in Yorkshire when he and Brenda moved to Barnsley. They lived in Barnsley for several years before the lure of his real love (Spain) became too much and they decided to up sticks and move to sunnier climbs.Eventually settling down in Quesada, surrounded by some family and friends.

Mick had always loved Spain and Benidorm became the holiday destination of choice, and the whole family has so many happy memories of our holidays there, they tried other resorts over the years, but it turns out that if it doesn't have "Sticky Vicky" then its just not a proper holiday. Life for Mick and Brenda in their new home in Spain was filled with lots of happiness and joy and they regularly entertained visitors from all over the world who came to share time and friendship in the warmth of Spain.

In December of 2014 Brenda and Mick traveled to England to help their Daughter Collette with her new shop over the Christmas period and this is when he was first taken ill. By early 2015 Mick was diagnosed with terminal Cancer and his greatest battle started in earnest, he underwent Chemotherapy at the Royal Marsden, with Mick agreeing to help with their research effort by being something of a guinea pig for a new treatment, whilst expensive he was given funding for the treatment. After the first week of his Chemo Mick was taken ill and rushed to hospital where he eventually underwent an illiostomy due to the tumour blocking his colon.Even the thought of this didn't get him down and he took the treatment well and was soon back home and living his life with a new freedom(Although he became jealous when any of the family farted around him).Post operatively the Chemo continued and and the first round seemed to go very well, and the doctors reported that there were visible signs that the Chemo was working.Everything appeared to be going so well that Mick was told he could have some time off between treatments and he jumped at the chance to go home to Spain. He had an incredible 5 weeks back at home surrounded by family and friends and enjoyed all the attention and the good life. He was forced to return to the UK prematurely at the start of October due to swelling around his stomach. Within days of his arrival he was admitted to Croydon University Hospital in a critical condition. With his family by his side he defied all the odds and made it through those first few days and his condition stabilized to the point he could be moved.. After two weeks he was moved to St Christophers hospice in Sydenham where he received the most incredible care love and support from all of the staff. Every day he had family by his side. After 4 weeks the Doctors suggested that he was getting well enough that we should consider letting him return home and the family were all exited that this may happen.

Unfortunately as plans were put in place to bring him home, he contracted a Chest infection and despite his strength and the work of the medical team he never managed to shake it off. The infection finally took over and he passed away very suddenly as his body could do no more.

There are so many fond memories of Mick to share and we hope to have time to speak with everyone of the coming weeks and months. He was so much to so many, and will be deeply missed by all of us.

We love you so much as a Husband, as a Father, as a grandad, as a brother and as a friend to so so many.

He will always be remembered as "Michael Ernest Charles George "Mick" O'Grady"

Rest in Peace Dad.