In loving memory of Thomas McKee, Husband, Dad, Grandad and Great Grandad who sadly passed away on the 29-01-2012 with his family around him. Paying tribute to such a loving person is never easy and I could never do it justice. Therefore I will talk briefly of his life, and as this Breath of Life Fund is for everyone left behind the reference will be a mix of Tam/Tom/Dad and Grandad to include all of his loving family. Thomas McKee or Tam as he was often called was a husband and father born in Glasgow on 24th August 1940. Tam was the second child born into a family which would consist of two brothers, Jim and Bertie and one sister Nancy. Toms father James died of pneumonia during the 2nd world war, after being torpedoed, he was given a full military funeral. Tam was working in the flour mills at this time alongside his elder brother Jim, his younger brother Bertie and his uncle Sandy. Toms mother re-married some time after to a Jim Freeman and a further 3 step brothers were born, Tully, Ike and Johnny to complete the family. Tam met Sandra who was to become his future wife in January of 1960, after a short courting period Tom and Sandra quickly fell in love, a love that was to become everlasting. They married on the 24th June 1961. Tom and Sandra moved to Mackintosh street in Glasgow soon after and it was here that their first two children were born. Sandra (18th September 1961) and Joe (30th September 1962). Mum recalls that is was exactly 1 year and 12 days between the two. They lived happily in Mackintosh Street for a period of 2 years before moving to an apartment located in Fishers street Dennison in Glasgow, it was here that Derek was born on the 8th January 1966. Due to the living and working conditions in Glasgow at the time, Tom constantly strived to improve things to benefit the families lifestyle, he made an important and life changing decision to move to England in March of 1966 with Derek only being a couple of months old. The family spent a short period of time in 3 Horace Street, Rodbourne in Swindon before they sadly had to move back home due to an illness in the family. It was in Horace Street that the family met Mrs Boyles or auntie Boyles as the children would call her. Mrs Boyles was to become a life long friend for the family. Tom and Sandra would look after her over the years until she sadly passed away. The family moved back to Glasgow in October of 1966 and moved into a single apartment, Tom was working hard in British Rail at the time in England and managed to obtain a transfer on returning home, he would carry out his work in the spring shop, making and testing springs to be fitted onto the trains, he also enjoyed working a spell as a porter, I smile as I type this, I can see my Dad as a porter. A sad period for the family was when Sandra lost both her grandmother and grandfather within a short period, three months between the two burials. Sandra fell pregnant again with what was to be the fourth edition to the family; Thomas was born in Feilding Street in Glasgow on the 4th of September 1967. Soon after Tam and Sandra made a decision to return to England once again to seek a better life for the children. Tom once again transferred within British Rail in the year of 1969, the family settled into number 10 Swindon road it was here that Connie was born 7th February 1971 to complete the family unit. The family moved to number 5 Crowley walk in Swindon where Tom and Sandra happily raised their family. Their stay here was to be for 23 years. The family worked through both good and bad times, however more good than bad and it was here that I feel that most childhood memories were made, the memories that Sandra and the five children strive to recall and hold onto everyday. During the families stay here Tom joined the brotherhood in the local British legion where he enjoyed a tipple or two or three, I’ll stop there. Tom/dad also enjoyed listening to Rhythm and Blues and country and western music; he loved socializing in these venues with his friends. Tam and Sandra ran the youth club for the church in their younger days and made yet another life long friend in the vicar of st Johns church, Ron Lucas. The family holidays hold fond memories for all and were Tams highlights as he enjoyed quality time spent with his family, the usual was the family of seven off to Paignton in Devon, Goodrington sands holiday park in a Morris minor with the smell of old leather seats and sick bags being passed round the vehicle. Paignton was a favourite holiday location for many years. Tam would often get sunburnt due to his fair skin and strawberry blonde hair when he fell asleep on the beach. A time came when dad was made redundant in the railways but he quickly found work in the Cowley factory on the assembly line, he worked here for many years before moving to a position in Milton roads swimming baths working as a pool attendant, this move was made for health reasons. Tam spent the rest of his working life here before retiring. Tam and Sandra’s love for each other grew as each day passed and they eventually successfully raised five children passing on all of their knowledge and attributes. All five children found work at an early age and were all married after moving from the family home. In 1993 Tam and Sandra finally moved into a smaller home 38a Raleigh Avenue where they spent a further 19 years together, once again their love and closeness prevailed. There were regular visits from all of the children, as testament of the love for their parents and a heart felt thank you for the love and closeness felt throughout their own upbringing. Dad’s health started to deteriorate, not that he would let anyone see this, he was too proud. He suffered 4 heart attacks and shortly after his 65th birthday he was given stents to support the functioning of his arteries, but the doctors later found that Tom had problems with his lungs and was later diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in the years 2005-2006. As mentioned earlier Tom was a very proud man, he was a kind and generous person who would help and look after all who needed him, especially his family. He chose friends wisely and once vetted those who shared the same values would become life long friends alongside Gordon and Jean, Duncan and Renee and Ron Lucas to mention but a few. In Raleigh Avenue Tom and Sandra once again showed their softer, kinder side by looking after Joan an elderly next door neighbour until she passed away. As well as having a kinder side Tom never suffered fools gladly and he was subject to a very hard Glaswegian upbringing, he wasn’t a man to be messed with and if you crossed him you would quickly see a dramatic change in him, this quick temperament change he also passed down to all five of his children. As strong as Tom was his health was deteriorating, he therefore set an initial milestone to see in his 50th wedding anniversary on the 24th of June 2011, which Tom and Sandra done in style. Their love as strong as ever and they were both beaming with happiness, both as proud as they should have been reaching such a great achievement. The family knew that Tom was struggling with his health, however it is felt that only Tom knew exactly how ill he really was, and only showed his ailments when he had no control over them. Tom/dad lost his fight for life on the 29th of January 2012, his loving family around him nursing him in his final days. Tam/dad was a great man, sometimes a little devil in his younger days but always a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. So many special moments shared with so many who loved him. No one saw the 29th January 2012 coming so soon, a massive shock to his family and such a great loss. Not having him around is something the family with have to eventually come to terms with, but for now our hearts are breaking every minute of every day. We love and miss you Tam, dad, grandad and great grandad you were a special person to us all. A bouquet of beautiful memories Sprayed with a million tears Wishing god could have spared you If just for a few more years Thomas McKee 24th August 1940- 29th January 2012 A poem for you Dad 29-01-2013 Please know that i think of you every single day, That i cherish childhood memories in every single way. You were my protector, my carer, my teacher and my guide, You done your job so perfectly that i felt i never had to hide. Bundles of memories from Goodrington Sands i hold precious and so dear, Such exciting times, such endless fun, holidays always full of cheer. You were so happy and content with your life with Mum, A milestone of 50 years reached, before events would leave us numb. I missed that celebration Dad, i am so sorry i was'nt there, The photo's, the memories and the stories however are there for all to share. You confided in me in the Hospital, you were so brave so honourable so true, All attributes that were never in doubt from a person such as you. It seemed that the clock stood still, the week that was to follow, I was so very proud to be able to nurse you Dad even though my heart felt hollow. Sandra, Joe, Derek and Connie all spent that week the same as me, In shock, we had'nt seen this coming, i suppose it was always meant to be. Such dark days seemed like they would never end, The endless worrying for both you and Mum continued to impend. You gave me a cuddle and told me that i was loved, Such precious words, that i will never forget, from you then shortly after, from above. The caring look in my heros eyes had slowly began to fade, A few last heart braking moments during which we could give no aid. For those of us who are left behind, we must keep each other strong, Maybe cry on our own when we think about you and when the nights seem long. Its a struggle with Mum, your soulmate Dad, her heart breaks again each day, But i promise i will look after her in my very own sort of way. I,m sorry that there,s been a gap in me providing care, I find myself in Bristol now, after being here there and everywhere. I will get strong again quite soon, to tend my duties true, To visit the grave, to look after my mum and to be able to speak with you. It,s been a year Dad since you passed away your sufferings now gone, You sit with God in heaven now so proud, so brave, so strong. One day soon we will meet again, where i can cuddle you, Until then just remember Dad that my love for you is true. That i miss you every single day, my hearts broken into two, My love for you is limitless because your so special, so caring, so you. I LOVE YOU DAD. xxx