Ernest "Ernie" Sparrowhawk (25 Nov 1934 - 15 Dec 2015)

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ErnestSt. Michael's Hospice (North Hampshire)

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ErnestMacmillan Cancer Support

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Location
Basingstoke Crematorium Stockbridge Road Basingstoke RG25 2BA
Date
30th Dec 2015
Time
4.15pm
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In loving memory of Ernie Sparrowhawk who passed away peacefully on 15th December 2015.

Funeral service to be held at Basingstoke Crematorium on Wednesday 30th December at 4:15 pm, and afterwards at Lodden Vale Indoors Bowling Club, West Ham Leisure Park, Worting Rd, Basingstoke RG22 6PG

Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to St. Michael’s Hospice or Macmillan Cancer Support c/o Spencer & Peyton Family-run Funeral Directors Tel: 01256 323165

Josephine Rocca posted a picture
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Josephine Rocca donated £40 in memory of Ernest
Mary Ann wrote

Ernie and I met at Loddon Vale Bowling Club in October 2013. A "first date" lunch quickly led to a permanent partnership. We had both had long happy marriages with children and grandchildren and nursed our spouses through debilitating illnesses.
We had a second chance of shared happiness, grasped it with both hands and lived life to the full. A long weekend in Mudeford, a Sea School reunion at Sharpness and a cruise to Iceland followed.
Ernie introduced me to the "proper" game of outdoor bowls at Basingstoke Town where we made many friends and had lots of happy times together. He taught me crib and we spent many evenings playing cards. We did lots of gardening planting his new garden when he moved and making new flower beds, installing a pond and laying a new path in mine.
The cancer diagnosis in September 2014 was devastating. However, we decided to carry on normally and make the most of every day. Chemo did little to alter this and gave us a few more months together. We booked more holidays and went to Holland, Sardinia and Cuba. On two of these trips Ernie lost his wallet containing credit cards, driving licence and cash but on both occasions was lucky enough to have them returned intact!
One of our greatest joys was the way both families embraced our relationship and we were able to enjoy time with each other's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ernie remained positive to the end and always said he was fine when asked. I loved him and he has left a big hole in my life but I am so lucky to have been part of this lovely man's life and have so many wonderful memories of our short time together.

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MaryAnn Chadwick wrote

Ernie and I met at Loddon Vale Bowling Club in October 2013. A "first date" lunch quickly led to a permanent partnership. We had both had long happy marriages with children and grandchildren and nursed our spouses through debilitating illnesses
We had a second chance of shared happiness, grasped it with both hands and lived life to the full. A long weekend in Mudeford, a Sea School reunion at Sharpness and a cruise to Iceland followed.
Ernie introduced me to the "proper" game of bowls outside at Basingstoke Town where we made many friends and had lots of happy times together. He taught me Crib and we spent many evenings playing cards. We did lots of gardening together planting his new garden when he moved and making new flower beds, installing a pond and laying a new path in mine.
The cancer diagnosis in September 2014 was devastating. However, we decided to carry on normally and make the most of every day. Chemo did little to alter this and gave us a few more months together. We booked more holidays and went to Holland, Sardinia and Cuba. On two of these trips Ernie lost his wallet containing credit cards, driving licence and cash but on both occasions was lucky enough to have them returned intact!
One of our greatest joys was the way both families embraced our partnership and we were able to spend time with each other's children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ernie remained positive to the end and always said he was fine when asked. I loved him and he has left a big hole I my life but I am so lucky to have been part of this lovely man's life and have so many wonderful memories of our short time together

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Sea School reunion August 2014

Sea School reunion August 2014

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MaryAnn Chadwick donated in memory of Ernest
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MaryAnn Chadwick donated in memory of Ernest
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Louisa Smurthwaite donated £50 in memory of Ernest
Louisa Smurthwaite donated in memory of Ernest
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Michael Boston donated £20 in memory of Ernest

I'm gonna miss you Ernie, enjoy that perfect bowls green and the games you don't loose.
Good luck buddy .... Mike..

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Caroline & Steve Harris lit a candle
Caroline & Steve Harris wrote

RIP Ernie
Caz & Steve x

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Avril Sparrowhawk wrote

Ernie was not only my father-in-law, but he was also like a dad to me. When my dad passed away eight years ago, I remember Ernie putting his arm around me and giving me a big hug.

He has always played a big part in our lives, especially with our children and grandchildren, who have some wonderful memories.

Ernie will be truly missed, and never forgotten.

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Josephine wrote


My dad was honest, hardworking and a dedicated family man to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He possessed a great zest for life and a sense of adventure that led him to join the Merchant Navy at the age of 15.

His inquisitiveness and interest in foreign cultures, food and languages took us as a family, during the school holidays in the 70’s, on camping holidays at home and abroad.

I have numerous memories of dad but on camping holidays he really came into his own. Getting lost on the way driving to the campsite and refusing to ask for directions was “not a holiday unless you get lost!”. In France, some evenings we would have a meal at a local restaurant. On one particular occasion he asked for the bill and said quite eloquently to the waiter “l’addition s’il vous plait”. I was impressed as the waiter brought the bill and put it before him with a flourish. He then said “danker-shurn, squire!”...

It’s no wonder why I always got a bad report from my French teacher!

When he was diagnosed with cancer and did not have much time left, he grabbed life with both hands. He was not the sort of person to sit still, he didn't like being alone and was sociable and outgoing. He met Mary, who was his companion, friend and partner with whom he shared the final years of his life. They travelled together and visited places he’d always wanted to including Iceland the Scottish Isles and Northern Ireland, Sardinia and most recently, Cuba.

In the last few months as the cancer progressed, Mary cared for dad right up until he died and she did so with grace, dignity, love and affection. I shall be forever grateful for her dedication to dad and her kindness and generosity towards us.

Goodbye dad, I love and miss you. You will always be forever my rock and
I know you are now resting in peace.

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Sophie Sparrowhawk posted a picture
So glad my children got to know there great grandad and appreciate him and I love him as much I do. He will be so missed but the memories we have will be cherished forever.

So glad my children got to know there great grandad and appreciate him and I love him as much I do. He will be so missed but the memories we have will be cherished forever.

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sophie Sparrowhawk posted a picture
Lily idolised her great grandad. This photo will always be so special as it totally sums up the relationship they had.

Lily idolised her great grandad. This photo will always be so special as it totally sums up the relationship they had.

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Nick Sparrowhawk wrote

The first memory I have of Dad must be from about 1960 (give or take a year.) At that time we lived on the top floor of my Nan's three storey house in Bow. Dad was in the merchant navy at the time and rarely at home. I remember one day I was standing in the front room, by the piano, when this man appeared through the door. I did not know who it was, and I cannot really remember what happened next, but from then on, he was Dad.

In about 1963, we moved to Tolworth in Surrey, which I remember I was not happy about, but I do remember Mum and Dad were really happy about getting their own place 'in the country'. They must have liked it there as they stayed until 2005, when they moved to Tadley!

I have no real memories of Dad ever sitting in a chair - he always had one project or another on the go. When we moved into the house in Tolworth, the back garden was completely covered in crazy paving, interspersed with the odd flower bed. He ripped all of the paving out and built a fish pond, walls, laid flower beds, lawn and paving to create a garden for my sister and me to play in. Over the years he transformed the garden with colourful planting, shrubs and summerhouse, where we spent a lot of time as a family in the summer, enjoying Mum's fabulous cooking, and just being together. I particularly remember the hours he spent pulling clover roots out of the lawn, which seemed to be a particular annoyance for him!

When he wasn't in the garden, he was always decorating one be room or another, even going so far as to build a small extension on the rear of the house, doing everything himself, from digging and laying the foundations to the flat roof. It was not the prettiest extension you will ever see, but it did provide some much needed space, especially when children and grandchildren came round for dinner on Sunday.

The only time I ever remember anyone other than Dad working on the house was when the loft was converted to provide another bedroom. Even then, Dad fell out with the builders as soon as the structural work was done, so he sacked them and finished it himself!

I will always remember Dad for his kindness and positive attitude - he was definitely a 'glass half full' person. He taught me to be patient, self-reliant and tenacious, which is ironic, because he did not suffer fools gladly, and he never read a set of instructions in his life! Most of all I will remember him as a fantastic Dad, Grandad and Great-Grandad, and the world is a better place for his presence. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

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  • my memory goes to 1939 September, the three of us at Bonner st school waiting for the war to start as it did, and mother saying take care of your brothers and a long train ride that finished at Wroxham village hall Ernie at 4 was tired hungry and crying along came Mrs Mills and the three of us were taken to a home that was ours till the end of the war,I suppose the relationship changed a little and I came a bit more than older brother, but we survived and and at wars end alfie and Ernie returned to London ahead of me, They ernie and Alfie took me in hand as every thing was so strange,and one memory Ill never forget we were at the local kids club where Ernie was part of a boxing match that had been put together he had never fought in his life he stepped into then ring he walked to the centre of ring as he had been told shook hands turned to go back to his corner when he was hit on the chin another loss for the club IN London at that time, I don't why Alfie was in army ernie joined navy and I went to Canada, I been there about a year our so when ernie got in touch his ship was in Montreal we talked and he couldn't get leave so it was arranged that he would make return trip the last before river was closed be cause of ice his ship was diverted to Belgium because of a strike, Id sent him some cash to head office to cover costs he picked it up when collecting his pay then phoned to say he would not be able to make it we met a few time over the passing years, and he had grown into a brother I could be proud of go in peace Ernie I love you Joe your brother A

    Posted by Joe on 29/12/2015 Report abuse
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Josephine Rocca is attending the funeral and the reception
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July 2015

July 2015

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  • That is the third boat he never finished, to my certain knowledge!

    Posted by Nicholas on 19/12/2015 Report abuse
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  • Just one of the many things Dad so enjoyed - eating seafood!

    Posted by Josephine on 28/12/2015 Report abuse
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