Foss
Luvverley!
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: --
Posts: 259
I would like to thank everyone for messages of support and condolence. Graeme wasn't perfect, but who is?
Many people loved him very much. Graeme was a strong believer in the saying (I think this is an ancient Greek philosopher) that no-one is truly dead if they are remembered.
Graeme, thank you for the time we had together.
Many people loved him very much. Graeme was a strong believer in the saying (I think this is an ancient Greek philosopher) that no-one is truly dead if they are remembered.
Graeme, thank you for the time we had together.
Resident insomniac
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: N54 58 34 W02 01 21
Age: 76
Posts: 1,863
I'll second Graeme's belief in that!
I was raised as a Christian (Sunday School, Abbey Choir boy and man, bellringer and a 'server') - and with brother-in-law a Cof E vicar and I had social contact with several Bishops and a couple of Archbishops, including Canterbury.
As I matured I became less of a believer, and being a scientist I am uncertain about what constitutes 'the afterlife' and 'Heaven'.
However, I attended the funeral of an elderly neighbour where the vicar propounded that the afterlife was what was retained in the memories of the survivors.
This makes sense to me, so, continue to exercise your memories of the departed (I regularly recall the times that I spent with my grandfather who died when I was seven years old, and my belief is that he is therefore in 'Heaven'.
I believe that some aboriginals hold similar beliefs and exercise the memories of their ancestors with stories that they retell from generation to generation.
Works for me . . .
(why not adopt it for yourself, regardless of your attitude to religion?)
Long live Foss in our hearts and minds!
I was raised as a Christian (Sunday School, Abbey Choir boy and man, bellringer and a 'server') - and with brother-in-law a Cof E vicar and I had social contact with several Bishops and a couple of Archbishops, including Canterbury.
As I matured I became less of a believer, and being a scientist I am uncertain about what constitutes 'the afterlife' and 'Heaven'.
However, I attended the funeral of an elderly neighbour where the vicar propounded that the afterlife was what was retained in the memories of the survivors.
This makes sense to me, so, continue to exercise your memories of the departed (I regularly recall the times that I spent with my grandfather who died when I was seven years old, and my belief is that he is therefore in 'Heaven'.
I believe that some aboriginals hold similar beliefs and exercise the memories of their ancestors with stories that they retell from generation to generation.
Works for me . . .
(why not adopt it for yourself, regardless of your attitude to religion?)
Long live Foss in our hearts and minds!
Last edited by G-CPTN; 4th Sep 2011 at 00:35.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Sunny side up
Posts: 1,205
Sad news.
IME funerals are always a whirlwind of 'Thanks for coming, glad you could get here, where the heck has Father O'Dwyer wandered off to now, the bugger's half demented but he's a Family Friend, what do you mean the funeral directors don't know where the bloody cemetery is, are there enough sandwiches to go around, yeah isn't it a lovely get together and actually I'd rather get a bottle of something alcoholic, a tray of frigging sandwiches and a quiet ten minutes away from all of you'. Then they all finally go away and you're left there.
Just my experience, anyway. All the best darls. We haven't met, but all the best. Funerals are a trial, particularly after they're done and all the irritants go away.
I always enjoyed Foss' posts.
IME funerals are always a whirlwind of 'Thanks for coming, glad you could get here, where the heck has Father O'Dwyer wandered off to now, the bugger's half demented but he's a Family Friend, what do you mean the funeral directors don't know where the bloody cemetery is, are there enough sandwiches to go around, yeah isn't it a lovely get together and actually I'd rather get a bottle of something alcoholic, a tray of frigging sandwiches and a quiet ten minutes away from all of you'. Then they all finally go away and you're left there.
Just my experience, anyway. All the best darls. We haven't met, but all the best. Funerals are a trial, particularly after they're done and all the irritants go away.
I always enjoyed Foss' posts.
Luvverley!
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: --
Posts: 259
Never having been to an "Irish" funeral, I didn't really know what to expect.
Some aspects of the day itself I struggled with, being English and all that. It is quite markedly different in some ways.
I tell you though, he would have been chuffed to bits at having a Police escort. And I had someone say to me, "Has the Parades Commission been notified about this?" A quote worthy of Graeme himself.
It is a desperately sad time.
Some aspects of the day itself I struggled with, being English and all that. It is quite markedly different in some ways.
I tell you though, he would have been chuffed to bits at having a Police escort. And I had someone say to me, "Has the Parades Commission been notified about this?" A quote worthy of Graeme himself.
It is a desperately sad time.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 18A
Age: 35
Posts: 405
Oh god how awful do I feel....I haven't logged into PPRuNe since June 2010....I just logged back on to try and find Fos to ask if I can still get his book, because I never got round to sending a cheque when it came out. I didn't look thoroughly through JetBlast and so I just sent him a message asking if I can still get copies. Then this thread only came up after searching on google for idiot dog daisy.
What a terrible shame, I'm so saddened to read this, but at least he is with his beloved Daisy now. If only I had bought the book in the first place :-(
RIP Fos
What a terrible shame, I'm so saddened to read this, but at least he is with his beloved Daisy now. If only I had bought the book in the first place :-(
RIP Fos
Resident insomniac
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: N54 58 34 W02 01 21
Age: 76
Posts: 1,863
Only a select few received copies of his book, the remainder (including myself) never saw anything for their money nor any refund . . .
My copies would have been Christmas presents for members of my family - who would have greatly enjoyed his writings.
A great talent lost to mankind.
My copies would have been Christmas presents for members of my family - who would have greatly enjoyed his writings.
A great talent lost to mankind.
Luvverley!
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: --
Posts: 259
I put this on TRABB a while back, but for anyone who missed it, I took an estimate of the money outstanding and donated it to the RNLI.
I did this for three reasons: 1) I have no idea who was owed what, 2) I had been meaning to donate to them anyway, and 3) It's what he would have wanted.
I hope everyone is OK with this.
I did this for three reasons: 1) I have no idea who was owed what, 2) I had been meaning to donate to them anyway, and 3) It's what he would have wanted.
I hope everyone is OK with this.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: The Burrow, N53:48:02 W1:48:57, The Tin Tent - EGBS, EGBO
Posts: 2,298
As I said then, I wasn't affected by what happened with the book but I think it an excellent idea to donate to the RNLI. A braver, more selfless, generous group of unpaid volunteers such as the Lifeboatmen would be hard to find. Foss may have made mistakes in his lfe but he is now helping to save the lives of others. Well done for your thoughtfulness and kindness. 
