Ronald Alexander Hamilton (25 Nov 1936 - 5 Sep 2017)

Eulogy for my dad

I couldn't let today go by without saying a few words about my dad who was my hero for many years. And most of all, I'm sure he'd be expecting it. I can hear him say ......... Avril you know what you need to do lass!

My dad was a character in his own right ... a true gent and an absolute legend. One, who spoke his mind and didn't care who didn't like it!! If he had an opinion .... boy did you hear it. Some so inappropriate, in this day, to even repeat!! But a loving and caring man who hated to go to bed on a disagreement. This was really hard as at one point you were getting it in the neck and then he would ensure that you knew you were loved before bedtime. He was always first to apologise when he was in the wrong! But unfortunately that wasn't very often, especially when it came to me!!

All his life my dad was always punctual ..... that was his thing ..... he was never ever late. Just want to share one example of how this really embarrassed me!

My wedding day! Before we were due to get into the car he said firstly are you sure your doing the right thing? Once I'd convinced him that yeah I was!!!!! He said right we better get moving then ... although I accept punctuality is good ...... but when the bride turns up before the groom ... NOT. I'm not sure how many times we went round the block again and again. Reminding him that it was the bride's duty to be late. He said 'not my daughter'!!! It was so embarrassing when the Minister mentioned in his speech that this was the first time ever he'd had a bride turn up early for her wedding!!

My dad loved my mum so much and after she had a brain heamoridge when she was about 40 he was so over protective it was sometimes too much. But it was always out of the love he had for her and they were married for 56 years. Even up until he passed his last words were checking she was ok. He idolised him family and was so proud of everyone of us especially his grand children .... seeing them flourish and do well for themselves.

I'll always be thankful to dad, and mum, who looked after my kids Ryan and Emma when I went back to work. My dad taught them so much and again punctuality was introduced. He'd be up at the school gates at least 25 minutes before the bell in a certain car parking space, but not only sitting in the car but he'd be out waving to them as they walked down through the playground, whatever the weather. He once went into school when the teacher kept Ryan and the class behind every day for three days and made it quite clear that this wasn't happening again ..... not in his time!!

The last few years have been tough for us all trying to care for dad as his health declined. As a family we've lived together for 6 and a half years. We've had some great laugh and memories. Travelling back to South Africa, his favourite place where we have such a huge family but also to Inner and Outer Hebrides as well as cruising the Mediterranean. We had ups and downs but we got through them and as much as there were so many issues towards the end I'm sure we'll laugh at them all, in the days and months to come.

As much as this day hurts to say goodbye and we've spoken many times about how your life was to be cut short but your strength and fight went on for the last two years. Your now at peace and in gods hands so please dad try and behave!!!

There is one saying that will live on and that is "ONE FOR THE ROAD"!! This was your infamous saying after a few drams but the road at times was so long!!! There are so many people here today who have gone down that road with you not to remember getting to the end!! As a family we will continue that phrase and this afternoon we'll say one for the road later..... although it won't be as long as your road dad!!! Even towards the end as I slowly spooned liquid into your mouth out it came ...... one for the road ... in order to get some more!!!

I'm sure I'll miss the sound of your dullsit tones shouting Avril through the house!!!!!! When I moaned or complained and said what now dad you'd always say ...... You'll miss me when I'm gone!!! And I have to stand here and say yeah you're absolutely right again!!!

So rest in peace dad. Our whole family will miss you greatly but your spirit will live on in every single one of us.

Avril Xxx ❤️❤️❤️

Life without you grandad is even harder than I ever imagined. As I wake up on the day of your funeral I feel a sadness and an emptiness like I have never felt in my life. I know today you will get the send off you deserve❤️

Ronnie I have had the pleasure of knowing you for over ten years and in this time we have had some great times together discussing football, cars and the boxing. It still feels like yesterday that I was down cleaning your cars or watching the World Cup with you.
You were a larger than life character who was always the heart and soul of any event, like our Xmas and New year drinking sessions.lol. I have some great memories of you and the time we spent together and would like to say it was a privilege to have known you.

My father-in-law was a true family man and a devoted husband to Sheila. They were like young lovers and were never out of each other's sight. I am sure that he is still with us now as many of his most wonderful traits are part of what makes up the extended family. We will all miss him dearly.

well Ronnie ,i had the pleasure of meeting you 25 years ago , when Karl was lucky enough to marry your lovely daughter, who by the way has so many of your ways, and wonderful sense of humor. when i when i meet you again was when i broke down on a friday afternoon , in Dunfermline, you came with Shelia to pick me up , in your red mazda, i ended up staying a week, on saturday night you took me to the Saugh Tree pub ,after the second one for the road, i asked you if we were walking the A1, and by wed night i think we had reached Newcastle. lol. you and Shelia told many funny tales in that week ,two of them being the sheep , and your overalls, you know the ones, you had me laughing , and still do . i have found this so hard , as so much i could say , but Ronnie i will never forget you , even in the later years and when you was not well you still made me laugh , with things you came out with it will be so hard when we come to Broxburn and not seeing you , but you will never be forgot, so Ronnie i will bid you a goodnight for now,untill we meet again and thank you for the privilege to of known you , cheers one for the road , hope they have it on tap. Pete

My dear Shiela Avril & Ian will be thinking of you all love Jean xx

Dad, it's taken me a few days of coming on this page to write some words. You have and always will be part of my life the things you done and helped me with are way to long to mention . A few special things stick out to me , lying under the Hillman Hunter changing my first clutch and how you in your own words helped me lift and guide the gearbox back into place , the numerous times you called me down to turnhouse in the good old days to see up close and some times guided tours of an airplane or two, remember seeing my first aircraft refuelling at the age or 12 or so . Funny how that turned out eh then in later years you gave me £100 to go towards my HGV with the words if you pass you can keep the money well you didn't get it back. And best of all to me was to get my pliers at Edinburgh after completing my training 2729 turned out to be your pliers boy was I chuffed.

Never forget the time we got off the bus in Broxburn to go play a game of snooker you pulled out a fifty pound note , we never made the Snooker did we. ONE FOR THE ROAD!!

Then the times mum and you came down to Cowieslinn for the weekends sitting in the Garden you always remarked boy it's certainly Cracking down here .
Lisa and I would drive you and Mum down to Port Seton for fish and chips sitting buy the harbour to eat them.

A big thank you Dad you brought me up well and I will always be very proud to call you Dad .

I had the pleasure of knowing Ronnie for over 30 years and he and Sheila always made me feel welcome in their home. Ronnie was a true gentleman who cared deeply for his family and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him but especially by his famiy xxx Sending my deepest and most sincere condolences to you all xxx