Brian William Edward Mitchell (29 Aug 1931 - 23 Dec 2017)

In memory of my lovely Grandad....RIP lots of love Lisa xxx

In memory of my wonderful grandad...RIP...lets hope something can be done to help sufferers and their families of this terrible disease xx

Memories of you dad

It's been the hardest thing to lose you
You meant so much to me
But you are in my heart dad
And that's where you'll always be
I know that heaven called you
But I wish you could have stayed
The memories that I have of you
Will never ever fade
I did not want to lose you
But you did not go alone
Because part of me went with you
When heaven called you home
So just remember one thing
We are not apart
You're with me in my memories
And in my broken heart

I wish I could see you one more time
Come walking through the door
But I know that is impossible
I will hear your voice no more.
I know you can feel my tears
And you don’t want me to cry
Yet my heart is broken because I can’t understand why
someone so precious had to die.
I pray that God will give me strength
And somehow get me through
As I struggle with this heartache
That came when I lost you.

In memory of my lovely grandad, and in the hope that one day there will be a cure for Alzheimer’s. x

The Tribute

Each of you gathered here today will of course have your own personal memories of Brian, and I’m sure that many of those memories will be of the special times, the happier times you shared in his company.

Memories of a very warm, welcoming and kind-hearted man. A man who had a sunny and cheerful nature, as well as a brilliant sense of humour. I’m told that Brian always loved a good party or get-together. He had that wonderful knack of being able to lift the spirits of everyone around him; and that’s a wonderful talent to have.

I’m sure that your memories will also be of a very hardworking and deeply caring man. I know that Brian had many practical skills. He could turn his hand to just about any task or challenge, and he thought nothing of working long and demanding hours. Brian was, most definitely, a perfectionist in his work, and I know that he often helped his family with their own home-improvements and D.I.Y projects. Indeed, Brian always did his very best for everyone, whatever the need or occasion.

And so today in this Chapel, we join together as family and as friends to remember the specialness and the uniqueness of Brian’s life. We join together to remember him for the many special qualities that he had. We remember him for his warmth and friendship; for his energy and vitality and for the way he touched and enriched each of your lives. There is no doubt in my mind that Brian has left a very special; a very personal legacy to each of you, his family and his friends.

There may be some here who are senior enough to remember Brian from his very early years, his childhood years, growing up in the 1930’s and 1940’s alongside his brother Peter and his late sister Audrey. Brian grew up I gather in Lowestoft, apart from a spell when he was evacuated during the war. Others may recall him as a youth or young man, when he started out by working in a gentleman’s barber shop. Or perhaps when he completed his National Service with the Royal Air Force.

I know that Brian served in the Colours Squadron and had the distinction of being Attendant at King George V Funeral Ceremony, as well as Queen Elizabeth II Coronation. Brian had very fond memories of his time in the RAF and was, quite rightly, very proud of his service to King, Queen and Country.

It was around this time that an important turning point came in Brian’s early life; when Brian and Jean married, in 1951, so beginning their wonderful marriage and partnership that has endured for almost sixty-seven memorable years. To say that Brian idolized Jean would definitely be an under-statement. I sense that she was never very far from Brian’s thoughts; and since their marriage Brian has been not only a devoted Husband, Father and provider for his family, I know he also remained very hardworking.

After completing his apprenticeship with Leyton’s the Builders, Brian went to work for much of his career in the building and construction industry; apart from a spell when he worked as a gravedigger for Critoph’s the Funeral Directors. Brian worked for a number of local builder’s, as well as being self-employed for a time. He worked on numerous local building projects, and this included occasions when he worked with his good friend, Colin Moore. They were, I gather, a very successful team and working partnership.
I have talked in my tribute today about Brian’s devotion to his family, and I think it should be said that this applied not only to his immediate family, but to his wider family as well.

This afternoon we remember Brian of course, as a wonderful Husband to Jean; and as a loving, supportive and very proud Father to Allison, Susan and Graham. I know that he will also be lovingly remembered as a fantastic Father-in-Law; as a second Dad in many ways to Tony, David and Denise. We also remember Brian as an adoring Grandfather to Teresa and Lisa, and to Rebecca and Shaun; and as a cherished Great-Grandfather to little Willow – the youngest generation of his family.

Others of you here today will no doubt remember Brian with great fondness and affection, either as a member of your extended family, or as a true and loyal friend and neighbour.

It is a sad tragedy that we are here today saying goodbye to Brian. However, from everything I’ve learned about his life and character, I believe that Brian would not want you now to be mournful or sorrowful. I believe that he would want you to smile and to laugh again. He would want you to be there for one another; as I know you will be. But he would also want you to carry on with your lives, and to live them to the full – just as he did.

I’m certain that Brian would want that for all of the people he loved so dearly. For everyone who knew him. For all of you here today; his wonderful family, and his many good friends.


………………………

My words I wrote for grandad read at the funeral

Dear grandad where do i begin to describe
The pain i felt that day
When god looked at you from up above
And guided you away

I sat with you and watched you leave
My heart was torn in two
But nothing can ever take away
The love i have for you

Life must go on or so its said
But my tears i cannot hide
But with passing days i'll find my strength
Knowing you are by my side

I love and miss you very much
And that i always will
You left a little hole in my heart
That no-one else can fill

Hope something will eventually be done to stop this hateful illness x

My Hero

You held my hand when I was small

You caught me when I fell

You are the hero of my childhood

And my later years as well

And every time I think of you

My heart still fills with pride

Though I will always miss you Dad

I know you’re by my side

In laughter and in sorrow

In sunshine and in rain

I know you’re watching over me

Until we meet again.

They say there is a reason
They say that time will heal
But neither time nor reason
will change the way I feel
For no one knows the heartache
That lies behind my smile
No one know how many times
I've broken down and cried
I want to tell you something
So there will be no doubt
You're so wonderful to think of
But so hard to be without



It would be so easy at this moment in time to feel down and empty, thinking about the empty space on the settee when we all get together, the empty seat in the car when we go on a journey, the missing glass as I stand at the bar alone,however,it was the energy that used to fill the space on the settee, the seat in the car and the space at the bar that makes me notice the holes you have left and that positive energy is what I remember about you the most , Dad.
You were a man who's generosity came in the love you gave and shared, the time you would selflessly give to help, you never needed with any of us , to open a wallet to show that generosity. The man that was Brian, that was Dad was priceless.
Your energy came from the pure passion you had for life and for living it with those you loved.
Your generosity and energy will live on now you have gone, it will live on because you have instilled it in us, your family. It will live on because you inspired me so much by the way you lived that you have changed the way I live, the way I look at life and the way I think of others.
I will miss you Dad, that's no lie, but in my heart you will live forever, in my thoughts you will live forever and in the person you made in me ,You will live forever.

Love you Dad

The Tribute
Each of you gathered here today will of course have your own personal memories of Brian, and I’m sure that many of those memories will be of the special times, the happier times you shared in his company.
Memories of a very warm, welcoming and kind-hearted man. A man who had a sunny and cheerful nature, as well as a brilliant sense of humour. I’m told that Brian always loved a good party or get-together. He had that wonderful knack of being able to lift the spirits of everyone around him; and that’s a wonderful talent to have.
I’m sure that your memories will also be of a very hardworking and deeply caring man. I know that Brian had many practical skills. He could turn his hand to just about any task or challenge, and he thought nothing of working long and demanding hours. Brian was, most definitely, a perfectionist in his work, and I know that he often helped his family with their own home-improvements and D.I.Y projects. Indeed, Brian always did his very best for everyone, whatever the need or occasion.
And so today in this Chapel, we join together as family and as friends to remember the specialness and the uniqueness of Brian’s life. We join together to remember him for the many special qualities that he had. We remember him for his warmth and friendship; for his energy and vitality and for the way he touched and enriched each of your lives. There is no doubt in my mind that Brian has left a very special; a very personal legacy to each of you, his family and his friends.
There may be some here who are senior enough to remember Brian from his very early years, his childhood years, growing up in the 1930’s and 1940’s alongside his brother Peter and his late sister Audrey. Brian grew up I gather in Lowestoft, apart from a spell when he was evacuated during the war. Others may recall him as a youth or young man, when he started out by working in a gentleman’s barber shop. Or perhaps when he completed his National Service with the Royal Air Force.
I know that Brian served in the Colours Squadron and had the distinction of being Attendant at King George V Funeral Ceremony, as well as Queen Elizabeth II Coronation. Brian had very fond memories of his time in the RAF and was, quite rightly, very proud of his service to King, Queen and Country.
It was around this time that an important turning point came in Brian’s early life; when Brian and Jean married, in 1951, so beginning their wonderful marriage and partnership that has endured for almost sixty-seven memorable years. To say that Brian idolized Jean would definitely be an under-statement. I sense that she was never very far from Brian’s thoughts; and since their marriage Brian has been not only a devoted Husband, Father and provider for his family, I know he also remained very hardworking.
After completing his apprenticeship with Leyton’s the Builders, Brian went to work for much of his career in the building and construction industry; apart from a spell when he worked as a gravedigger for Critoph’s the Funeral Directors. Brian worked for a number of local builder’s, as well as being self-employed for a time. He worked on numerous local building projects, and this included occasions when he worked with his good friend, Colin Moore. They were, I gather, a very successful team and working partnership.
I have talked in my tribute today about Brian’s devotion to his family, and I think it should be said that this applied not only to his immediate family, but to his wider family as well.
This afternoon we remember Brian of course, as a wonderful Husband to Jean; and as a loving, supportive and very proud Father to Allison, Susan and Graham. I know that he will also be lovingly remembered as a fantastic Father-in-Law; as a second Dad in many ways to Tony, David and Denise. We also remember Brian as an adoring Grandfather to Teresa and Lisa, and to Rebecca and Shaun; and as a cherished Great-Grandfather to little Willow – the youngest generation of his family.

Dear Grandad.....what a hard day yesterday was! No-one ever said goodbye's were easy but it was made harder because of the wonderful person you were. So many people came to say farewell on your final journey which shows how truly loved and well thought of and respected you were. You would have been proud of your send off...it was a magical celebration of your life and we all found our inner strength to appreciate how you were an integral part of all of our lives. You will live on with us and in all of us forever. Goodbye beautiful blue eyes....love and miss you forever, my special Grandad xxxxx❤❤💔💔

In memory of grandad x

Let’s hope that it’s not too long before more can be done to help sufferers of this illness

For all the people who live what my dad lived with and all the people who may benifit from this

Dad - it was proved to us today just how many lives you touched - it was so lovely to see so many people there for you! It was obvious how much you were thought of by others as well as us! It was the worst day of my life having to let you go, but I truly believe you’re with us wherever we are and you’ll never ever be far from our hearts and thoughts. Love and miss you dad - ❤️Xxx

Dad,the saddest day of my life so far today! It was though, fantastic to see how many people turned up to say goodbye and remember the person you were . I met a lot of people you knew and a lot that came to support mum,so don’t worry she’s got people watching over her and I have to say you had influenced more people than even I imagined! You would have been proud of the send off and what everyone thought of you. Love you dad sleep tight

Thoughts with you all today x