Steven Hankinson (17 Apr 1960 - 26 Dec 2018)

This was my dad and had to find out that he was dead by looking for him on Facebook Sarah I've messaged u on Facebook but no reply.... Rip dad

In Dream by Joshua Howells

A vision of loveliness I behold
when daily chores are through,
and in the evening’s fading light
I close my eyes and think of you.

So fresh and pretty, so soul becalming
your vision-my tiredness fade
and dreamy thoughts come beckoning
as we stroll through memory’s glade.

The setting sun, triumphant,
its dying rays still bright,
and here in dreamlands cottage
the day passes into night.

May eternally dear nature keep
your charm and beauty ever deep,
and in my dreams you’ll always be
a silent, treasured part of me.

Tribute to Steve from Sarah
I recently read this quote, which I think is really relevant ‘The quality not the longevity of one’s life is what is important’. I would now like to share my first diary entry of the new year.
Dear Steve,
I am going to use this diary to rebuild my life. I want to start by thanking you for the most wonderful years of my life. We met, well we were in the same place on 14/4/12, as we were both at Cannon Hill parkrun on that day. You had started parkrun in the February and I had started in the April but we were both there on 14th. It was sometime later that we began our competition to see who would overtake who and I always focussed on that bright green/yellow top to get me running around the course. You made me laugh so much as we battled it out!
You are a parkrun inspiration. You completed 266 runs and over 25 volunteering. You were a fantastic tail walker always encouraging others. You are a friendly face, which is what parkrun is all about. You were a strong runner before becoming poorly. As the years passed by our friendship grew and I used to really look forward to our chats before and after the run. I would tell you about my exploits, camping, trips abroad to do crazy things and you would laugh and say ‘You wouldn’t catch me doing that, I wouldn’t sleep in a tent, I like 4 solid walls around me!’ But you would always be interested and I really enjoyed our chats. You made me and others really believe in ourselves and what we could achieve.
You would be so proud as I am of all the beautiful comments people have been making about you on Facebook.
Over the years we continued to chat and laugh on Saturday mornings. We had a lovely Christmas parkrun in 2015 followed by the famous New Year’s Day parkrun in 2016 when I fell flat on my face in front of you and Gary and of course you took the mickey out of me! We really started to chat in March 2016. I wasn’t having a good time and you always made me feel better and more confident with life. We met for a drink on Easter Day, the first time we had seen each other with proper clothes on!
We had a lovely evening and talked and talked. You were such a gentleman and even walked me to my car. We really clicked that evening and it was probably the evening we fell in love. We actually agreed on April 6th that we had fallen in love and arranged to spend the weekend together and I could say the rest is history, but I want to relive it. We had a a wonderful meal out and then the following day we went for a walk down the canals and up to the canal basin stopping for drinks and lunch on the way. We actually clocked up 13 miles that day and laughed and were amazed that we had walked a half marathon.
I will now share a little secret as it demonstrates how completely and utterly secure and in love we were. Steve told me on 15th April 2016 that he would marry me one day and we were both certain and
so sure that it would happen. For me, Steve it was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders, as I knew 100% that you would always look after me and care for me and you have. You gave me my best years not just because we were together but because you made me, me and you will continue to do that even though you are no longer physically here. I know that you will always be with me, encouraging me and telling me that I can achieve anything.
We lived life to the full together, we achieved so much in such a short time and you have given me the strength and confidence to go on and achieve so much more. And I promise you, I will. I will go on and do all the things we planned, as I know you will be with me always. And I will always love you and hope you are now running free, my darling wonderful Steve.
With lots of love from your wife Sarah Hankinson xxxx

Words about Steve by Sarah
Steve was born on April 17th 1960 to Bernard and Ada Rose Hankinson. He was the second to youngest of 10 siblings, some of whom are here today. He had the usual childhood of someone living in the city in the 60s and 70s, played outside, got up to lots of mischief in derelict buildings etc.
By his own admission he didn’t take school to seriously and in later life realised the importance of having some paper qualifications and went back to college and completed various computer and car maintenance courses. He had various jobs ranging from bus driving to car valeting (Steve, I don’t know who is going to clean my car now!) He eventually settled into security work.
When Steve was 18 he decided that he would give blood, and he was a regular blood donor and then platelet donor right up to becoming poorly. He has some beautiful awards to mark the very many times that he gave blood. He will be so proud of having been able to donate his brain to Parkinson’s/ PSP research.
Steve, like most of us enjoyed a good meal and, like most of us piled on the weight and then suddenly got the wake up call and decided to take action and joined a gym, where he developed his love of running. He hated sport and running when he was at school but found that he enjoyed the treadmill and then decided to run around the gym car park and as his confidence grew, he started to run further and eventually found parkrun.
Steve also had a lot of get up and go and was a great believer in getting on with life. If he suddenly decided he wanted to do something, he did it. For example, some of you might not know but he had a black belt in karate and learnt to fly! Steve has always been a great support to his family and I know they will miss that support greatly. As Stan said, Steve could be extremely comical but knew when to be serious too. He has been described as a heart-warming person and a funny person who would always be happy no matter what.

This is the money collected at Steve’s funeral. I am just a bit late sorting it out.

£81 from the collection at Steve’s funeral, I am a little late sorting this out!

Steve was a wonderful bother in law who welcomed me to the family he always made me laugh when you was around him you always new steve was at his brothers because as soon as you walked through the door you would smell his cigars. Steve you will always be in our hearts FOREVER and will be sadly missed by all your family and friends. A great man that was taken from us too soon love always xxxx

There are some people you meet in life that leave an impact on you, Steve you were just one of those people. I didn’t know you for very long, but you have left a lasting impression. Whenever, my own neurological condition gets me down I remember you, the awful jokes and you threats to steal my wheels!

Throughout you illness you continued to smile and make others laugh. Never did I hear you complain or ask “why me?” You faced your condition with such strength courage and dignity. watching you fight such an amazing battle, I know now that I can face anything my condition throws at me. My new mantra being, “this is nothing, Steve did it without moaning, so can I.”

Thank you Steve for showing such stoicism, during such a difficult time. Thank you giving my beautiful friend, Sarah, such love, and thank for our brief but lasting friendship.

Rest in peace my friend run free .

For Steve

I first met Steve because he was dating Sarah. We had some lovely dinners together and Christmas’s. I was so happy to finally see my sister with someone who supported her in everything she did and someone who had so much get up and go that they went out there and lived life to the full as a couple and as individuals. At that point I knew my sister would always be okay. Thank you for that Steve. Thank you also for the chance to spend time with you and laugh and joke with you even when things were so sad. When you were on oxygen you told me you were so full of gas you were going to float away! I did offer to put weights around your ankles! Sorry I couldn’t find the Disaronno when you got home from hospital, but so glad you enjoyed it on your wedding day and what a perfect wedding that was. Steve you are an inspiration, a comedian, a fantastic Husband to my sister and a truly wonderful person. I am so honoured to be able to call you my brother-in-law and friend. Bless you Steve xxx

The first day i met Steve was when i got sent in for a meet and greet, so i can introduce myself to Steve and his family, you cannot help but notice his vibrant charisma even amidst challenging times.
I remember whenever we take him for a walk, how he used to guess which lift will open for us, how he beeps when someone is in our way, how he uses his fingers to signal left or right when out in his wheelchair.
Even in challenging moments, Steve still tries to bring solutions and ideas as to what can be done next. He always says "I am easy going", and i do agree. The camaraderie built over a short time cannot be overemphasized.
I have indeed learnt a lot from Steve. Steve was indeed a good man.

My sincere condolence to the entire family.

Rest on Steve!

Gerald, one of Steve's carers.