Patrick Edward "Paddy" Sower (17 Apr 1936 - 3 May 2018)

My heart is broken with the passing of Paddy. So many stories and so much laughter was ours on his annual trip to Lafayette La. I so wish we could have been there for the service. Please accept our heart felt condolences on your loss. He was much loved and is missed.

We all knew Paddy as a storyteller. Not just a run of the mill storyteller, each of his stories were a fantastic tale that could be retold in the most magnificent detail, and dated back to exact times and places. I think it is only fitting that now it is our turn to do the storytelling in classic Paddy style, and he can just sit back and listen.

My first story starts when Paddy was a child living back home in Dublin. On a typical cold and wet irish morning, Paddy and his Granny Wright went off to visit Granny Carol. Granny Carol had a great feast laid out and Paddy always told me that as soon as he saw the cakes sat on the table he felt like all his Christmases had come at once. Granny Carol cut Paddy the biggest slice of cake he had ever seen, just as Paddy was gearing him up to start the mammoth job of eating the cake, Granny Wright snatched the plate away, told Granny Carol that it was far too big for a little boy like Paddy and cut into an quarter of its original size! And here is where one of his much loved and over used jokes originates. When telling this story he would always say, ‘I remember that day like it was yesterday and we all know what a bloody horrible day yesterday was!’.


When he was a teenager Paddy decided that he would come to London to find work as a plumber and this set the foundations for his future as this is where he stayed for most of his life and set up home. I know for most people in this room that is a deeply welcomed decision because it means we all got to have such a special man in our lives. To my knowledge he came over when he was 17 and got a job instantly by telling the boss he was 18 and demanding double the wages he had been in earning in Ireland! To everyone that knows Paddy this stubbornness and determined attitude will not come as a surprise. In most cases it really was Paddy’s way or the high way!

Paddy was always known to me and my sister as the ‘best fixer’. No job was too small for Paddy and he was always more than willing to help others out when they needed it most.

As a child, I was always quite inquisitive or as Paddy used to call me, nosey! We were driving along one afternoon and I remember asking Paddy how old he was and he always used to say 39. I wasn’t satisfied by this answer and persisted that he tell me he real age on the promise that I’d never tell another person. Paddy decided to share that he was 60 and I was horrified that he really wasn’t 39! I promised to keep my word. We arrived home and within seconds I shared Paddy’s real age with anyone that would listen! He always joked that if you wanted a secret kept then don’t tell Sophie. I’m sorry for telling everyone here that you’re not really 39 Pad.



Once Paddy moved to the Isle of Wight he carried on working as a plumber and took up walking. Through this he made lots of great friends. Two of whom are here today and they are Sophie and Max.. We all know Paddy loved boxing, and he would often clench his fist and say ‘I’ll give you some of that’ much to Sophie’s disgust as this turned out to be a phrase he taught Max to say just as he was learning to speak!

Paddy was a charmer and at times dare I say it, a bit cheeky! He’s favourite phrase when trying to demonstrate his charm was ‘I have half a bed spare upstairs if you want it.’ Needless to say his offer was declined on many an occasion.

There are two things I am certain of knowing Paddy as well as I do and that was he loved having his family round him but he also liked his own company. When people would call to say there were going to visit him in the Isle of Wight he was say ‘Tell me the date and I’ll leave home that week!’ He loved having his family round him and I know how much having us all celebrate his 80th round Ann’s meant to him. He often told me it meant the world to him to see us all in one room and having fun.

In these last few years Paddy became a jetsetter. Every march, he would fly off to America to visit his friends Deidre and Beau. Deidre called me a few days ago and told me there was nobody in this world that has influenced her life the way Paddy had. This to me just gives you an example of what an extraordinary man he really was.

As a Granddad, he was the by far the best. There truly isn’t anyone who comes close in my eyes. You meant the world to a lot of people Pad and I’m eternally grateful you were a special part of my life. I know you had an impact on each and every one of us in this room in some way or another. One of life’s true Gentleman. On behalf of us all I want to thank you for the memories, I certainly have a life time full of them and I am honoured to be able to call myself your Grandaughter.

Sadly, every story has its ending. Except Paddy’s is a rare case. His story doesn’t end here today or on the 3rd May because we will always remember the bad jokes, the swearing (even though he was adamant he didn’t swear) and the memories he gave us all. His stories have become a part of each of us, they are part of our story. And so our responsibility is to keep on telling that story so the story of Paddy Sower our friend, brother, uncle, father and granddad, keeps growing in everyway possible.

In the words of Paddy for one final time: Good night, God bless. See you again. Please god.


All my love always. Sophie.

R.I.P. Paddy Condolences from the McCormack family. My late Dad Pat was a great friend of Paddy's along with my Mam Maureen and family we have very fond memories of him.

Hoping that the love and memories you have will see you through this sad time.
Thinking of you all with great fondness.
Debbie & Terry xxx

Maureen Sowers sisters Betty and Kathleen and Families are so sorry for your loss.We remember Paddy with fond memories Rest in Peace Paddy.

Ann
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,
Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
All our love to you
Cherie

To my grandad paddy on the day we put you to rest is the day my life begins, I truly believe you are watching over me on this day! I might not be there to say good bye but you will always live on in my memories and my heart, I’m so glad you got to me your great grandson and I’m proud to say you was my grandad have a nice time with nanny Betty love you very much your grandson Richie Oscar and Emma xx

My deepest sympathies goes out to all the Sower family. I'm so very sorry for your loss. RIP Paddy 😢 xx

Dear Ann. So sorry to hear your sad new. Thinking of you all.
All our love Sonia Ray & family. Xxx