John Henry Lacey (11 Aug 1928 - 24 Apr 2021)

In loving memory of John Henry Lacey who sadly passed away on 24th April 2021, aged 92 years.

Donation's in Johns memory can be made if desired to Demelza House via the link on this page.

John Henry Lacey’s Life story 11.08.1928 - 24.04.2021
John was born in number 2 Hale Cottages opposite the Wagon at Hale on 11th August 1928 to Charlie and Ethel Lacey. He was one of five children, Charlie, Joyce, Ron and Ethel. He was the second eldest and had a special bond with Joyce as they were born only a year apart. He would often say she talked a lot and followed him everywhere. Their close bond lasted a life time and they sadly passed away just days apart from each other.

John grew-up in a farm house with his siblings surrounded with family and children’s laughter. Growing up on the farm there was plenty of fresh food grown and even during the war there always seemed to be enough to go around. They were self-sufficient and clothes were made and mended and passed down. There seemed to be enough for them all and they were happy growing-up on the farm together.
John went to Hempstead school and Orchard street school in Rainham. He would retell how whatever the weather they would be marched from Orchard street down to Station Road by the railway station for a hot school dinner – even in the snow.

At the age of 14 John left school and met Joyce who would become his sweetheart for 71 cherished years. To this day he carried a photograph of when they were young with his handwritten note, ‘to my sweetheart Joyce,’ in his wallet. Their story was a love story and they were devoted to each other every day of their lives.
John became a milk boy when he left school and was entrusted with his own cart to push around and deliver milk. Eventually he progressed to his own horse and cart and delivered milk to customers. He recalled heaving the large milk churns up the steps of Medway Hospital for the patients. He finally progressed to an electric float many years later.

John was called-up to the army when he was 18 years old and was there for 2 years doing national service. During this time, John & Joyce wrote letters to each other daily expressing their love for each other. On rare occasions Joyce would be able to visit him and stay in the officer quarters. It was on the 8th January 1948 that John and Joyce were married at St Johns church Chatham. John was 20 Years old and Joyce 18 Years old. We have often heard the story of him jumping over the back garden gate with his mother in-law for a quick drink after the wedding and splitting his trousers. This sense of mischief stayed with him his entire life and his strength of character touched everyone that played a part in his life.

Initially, John & Joyce lived with John’s parents for six months and then a cottage became available on the farm from Miss Bachelor - Baker’s Row Capstone. This was the beginnings of their married life and the place where David their first child was born.

David was 5 years old, when Michael (Mick) was born- their second child. When Mick was two months old they decided they needed to move to a house with more provision for their growing family and they moved to Weeds Wood. They travelled to the new house on a bus as they didn’t have a car and Mick being only a few months old had a bed made out of a drawer from the chest of drawers. These were hard times and John provided for his family by working 2 jobs. He would cycle the long distance to Hoo and worked as a fitter at Berry Wiggins Factory and Joyce worked part time in the evenings and together they found a way.

Eventually, they decided to move to Otway Street, as John managed to get a job in the dairy working for Roy Woollet. It was here that Lynn was born – their youngest child and their family was complete. They lived in the house that joined onto the dairy and Tom & Shirley Church their neighbors joined onto the dairy also and became life-time friends.

When Lynn was 5 years old they moved to live at Luton Garage (6 Leonard Rd) – that came to be known as Jetway Garage. When they first moved, it was a house with lots of ground and they were there when the huge tanks were placed underground for the petrol tanks. Here John & Joyce worked the petrol pumps. These were happy times & they were liked by many.

The first winter there Lynn had measles and was in bed for a couple of weeks and recalled John carrying her to the window to look at the snow and it being so cold that there were huge icicles on the outside of the window.
John would wake early and start his milk round at 4am in the morning, come home and have an hours sleep and then work in the garage and Joyce would also work part time and john would work at the garage in the evening. He became assistant manager of the dairy at the same time as working in the garage. The business grew and they became friends with the customers and were very popular. There were many parties with their bar in their front room and Christmas eve saw big parties after the pub closed – these were happy family times.

In 1966, they moved next door into 166 Luton Road. It was a massive town house with 3 floors and their children grew into adults and were all married from this home. In time It would go onto hold the cries and laughter of their grandchildren, each cherished and held dearly. It was a wonderful place for grandchildren to play and grow and is the place of so many precious memories. Life was rich and the family grew and were cherished. It was a wonderful place to grow-up as a child, a places for birthday parties, making tents out of cardboard boxes and dressing-up.
At this time John started working at C.A.V as a fitters Mate. This is where he had his first brand new car a Morris 1000 - a blue car. He was so proud to have his first new car! It was his pride and joy and a huge accomplishment.

During this time, they met Cliff & Glad who would become their life-time friends. John met Cliff at C.A.V as a painter and they were to have many holidays together and a life-time of friendship and shared memories. They joined C.A.V social club and went to dances with Cliff & Glad and took ballroom dancing lessons and enjoyed Saturday nights out together. John liked to do the waltz and quick step and would often sing to Joyce when he was a little merry.
Eddie the milk man and Charlie Jarrett a friend from John’s childhood days, would often visit and they would retell the stories when John didn’t quite manage to make it all the way home after a night out on the town and slept in Luton Wreck until morning and he could finally make his way home.

In later years, John and Joyce decided to move to a smaller dwelling and moved to a new build - 2 Alfred close. They condensed their possessions into their most cherished and moved them with them. Their possessions were not plenty but their cherished memories were abundant and love for their family filled every part of their home and there always seemed to be enough space to accommodate everyone and there are fond memories of family gatherings and sitting on the stairs when the seats ran out.

Their family continued to grow to see the arrival of seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and somehow there was enough love for them all and all were loved beyond measure. John felt blessed and proud to have the love of his family and family was what John cherished above all. He was devoted to Joyce and they were never far apart from each other and their love for one another over 70 years could be confined by no bounds.

When John retired from C.A.V he got a part-time job at NCP as a car park attendant and continued working until he was 78 years old. He was popular with the customers as in all the jobs throughout his life and his character always shone through. John worked hard all his life and wanted to provide for his loved ones. He liked to give Joyce nice M & S food, clothes and Angel perfume. He cherished her and their love for one another never failed.
He enjoyed many family holidays in Blakeney and often had father’s day there being lavished with gifts. He enjoyed walks by the water, good food and above all family time together. These were cherished family memories and the family today hold them dear.

Family was always important to John and he would hold his children, grandchildren and great children tenderly, hugs were really important to him and when he held you he didn’t want to let go.
Somehow when Joyce passed away he found the strength to keep going but Joyce took a part of him with her and it wouldn’t be long until they were reunited again as they were always meant to be together after a life time in each other’s arms.

When you think of John, remember him with love and take comfort that he is reunited with Joyce and they are together again.

Rest in peace John and know you are truly loved and the love you have imparted to your family will be cherished.