I have so many great memories....too many to pick from! Uncle Pat was a huge part of my childhood . Because he was my dad's closest friend, he was always around. Weekends, holidays and special occasions. James and I had the most amazing rope swings (constructed by Dad and Pat) where we would spend hours of fun, deep in the woods. They also dug us an underground tunnel  with entry and exit lids and my brother remembers a death slide high above the driveway of Hydon Ridge. Uncle Pat and Dad would put on great bonfire nights with fantastic fireworks. Holidays in Cumberland were great fun too, with Uncle Pat convincing us that at the top of the mountain was a cafe...so we always did the climb! He and dad would throw dried up patties of cow poo at each other and my brother along the walks, they called them 'dollopagoes'. As time moved on, I can remember spending a few days in Brockwier  when my kids were small. Uncle Pat took Dan and Steve out to ride the river. Later on in life, I was lucky enough to spend a weekend on Uncle Pat's boat with him. He has always kept in touch and I would receive regular phone calls from him...when we would catch up and have a laugh. Without exception he would always end the call by saying '...Love you'. I spoke to him in February this year, it was a short call but we both agreed it was great to hear each others' voices. I shall miss him so much. He was such a special person, so much fun but always he saw the beauty in things, like his huge love of music ( I have attached an Alison Krauss track, an artist I know we both loved)... and  he was never afraid to express his love.... a pretty rare combination from a man of his generation. More than anything I will remember his laugh, most times -  exceptionally loud, sometimes at exactly the wrong moment but always extremely infectious.  I'm sure James, Em, Louise and Tom know this already but he was beyond proud of all of you and you could see his love and pride whenever he spoke about you. I am sure that today you will keep each other strong and do him proud again, as you say farewell. xxxxxx

I have added a photo of Uncle Pat with James and I (1966 ish) and one of Dad and him (1950' something)