Bob Gill (24 Apr 1925 - 25 Feb 2018)

In loving memory of Bob Gill who sadly passed away on 25th February 2018

My Father "Robert Gill" known to everyone as "Bob" was born on 25th April 1925 to "Cathreen Elizabeth Wragg" and "Robert Gill Snr", the Eldest of Three Siblings followed by his Sister "Audrey" and then his Brother "Donald".

"Bob Gill" achieved high scores at school, but due to the times, was not able to follow up on this Educational advantage.

Towards the end of the Second World War, my father was training for Bomber Command. Fortunately the War Ended just in time.

"Bob Gill" had planned to go with his best friend "Bill Smart" to live in Australia but whilst he was waiting for "Bill" to complete his National Service he fell in love with a Girl he had previously met when she was younger. In 1950 he married his sweetheart "Joyce Clarice Hind". Neither Bob nor Bill went to Australia in the end.

Initially Bob worked for "Players" and later for "Plessey". During this period he studied hard and qualified in "Management Accountancy". This proved very beneficial as in 1954 he had his son "Robert Dennis Michael Gill Jnr" and in 1959 his daughter "Kathleen Joyce Gill".

Initially, housing was in short supply, and "Bob & Joyce" lived in lodgings, but in 1955 they got a modern house to rent in Bilborough. This was a new post war modern housing estate of council houses.

"Bob and Joyce" got very involved with the local "St John's Church" which was completely rebuilt in 1959. My dad, "Bob Gill" became "Church Treasurer" and trained to be a "Lay Reader" as well as supporting local church youth organisations.

During our time at Bilborough, we became the first family on our road to own a car, a "Triumph Herald", and a telephone.

In 1964, "Bob and Joyce" bought their own house in Toton. "Bob" again got involved as "Lay Reader" in the local "St Peter's Church" and "Beeston Parish Church". Other Interests included involvement in the "Camping Club" and finding new interesting holiday destinations in the UK and eventually abroad. Other interests included "Gardening and DIY".

During the 1980's it was time to get away from Corporate Politics and "Bob" chose early retirement. Here dad worked freelance and had a lot of fun in his job as well as earning a good income. He thought this was the best time of his life, especially as "Bob & Joyce" could enjoy very nice holidays abroad and the presence of their wonderful grandchildren.

In 1990 "Bob" retired followed some years later by my mother "Joyce". They always wondered with so much to do what with DIY, Gardening, Holidays, Grandchildren, Dancing, the Church how they ever found time to work.

Sadly, around 2004, dad was diagnosed with Prostrate Cancer. Yet despite this and being around 78 years old now, this never slowed dad down, he had been told at his age he was more likely to die of old age than cancer. As the years went by and turned into decades one could almost forget this problem. However by dad's 90th Birthday, "Bob" was having problems. He could no longer do "Lay Reading" at church. In May 2017, dad had to stop driving a car at the age of 92. throughout 2017, his physical and mental decline became evident and yet he refused to stop walking. In December 2017 things took a turn for the worse confining dad to Nursing Care.

In his final hours, the family kept Vigil with him continuously. Before finally going unconscious, dad was at the last, able to express his undying love for mum.

He passed away, still fully in love with the woman he fell in love with and married 72 years before, his family and fully committed to his Christian Faith. A truly wonderful godly man.