Tributes
Leave a tributeTwo precious baby girls have joined the family this year. Georgie and Tony had Gracie-Jane in May and Sam and Bekah had Dakota in September.
We are so blessed with their smiles!
Such a special day as we remember the great sacrifice that Jesus made for us. But Easter Sunday is coming when Jesus rose from the dead!!
What a wonderful promise we have, to know that we'll have a new life too, and be together again.
Another birthday remembered and mine is next week when I'll have caught up with you!
Eleven I've lived here.
We're living in unsettled times and so different from when we were together, but our Father God is in control!
We miss dear George so much but know it's far better for him to be safe in the wonderful presence of Jesus.
Remembering with much love Jean xx ❤
I'm so pleased my dear George is in the safe presence of Jesus.
Always in my heart and missed so much. xx
I've so many precious memories of our life together and thank our Lord God for giving us to each other.
But God is our refuge and strength and we trust him to overcome.
We will be together one day where there is no more sickness or pain.
Thank you Jesus for that promise and that we'll see each other again.
Loving and remembering my dear George xxx
'The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.' Amen!
Psalm 23
Praise our Father God for these special words that mean such a lot.
We honour, respect and thank him and all the courageous men who fought to bring freedom to this nation.
He was a hero in so many ways!
Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy!
For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead!'
Isaiah 26:19
Praise God for his comforting Word and certainty for the future when we'll be together again!
Mum and I went to the crematorium and lunch at one of his favourite places. Sleep peacefully Dad. Love you forever.
And it's Easter time too!
The trees aren't in bloom yet this year, probably due to the snowy weather we've had, but they won't be long.
I miss his cheery smile and wonderful support. He was such a special person, funny, wise and so caring. Good cook too!
Thank you Jesus for bringing us together and the many happy shared experiences we enjoyed.
We went to the crematorium with a wreath to remember his birthday and then lunch out as we usually did together. We took Jake who knew Great Grandad and Ronnie, the newest member of the family. xxx
What great memories I have of our time together.
Jesus is keeping him in his loving presence and we'll be together again when it's my time to join him. xxxxx
Thank you dear Lord Jesus that you have him safe in your loving care and one day we'll be together again.
Forever in my heart
Jean xx
I miss him so much but still have the precious memories of a wonderful life together.
We've put a wreath at the crematorium and then had a meal out just like he and I did every birthday.
One day we'll be together again in the glorious presence of our Lord Jesus. What a great time to look forward to!! x x x
Remembering him with heartfelt love and gratitude for all the years he gave us.
Rest peacefully Dad.
He had amazing patience, loved his cricket, loved to tell silly jokes, and was a truly supportive husband in every way.
We've put flowers and cards at the crematorium and his name is now in the Memorial Book. The cherry tree isn't in bloom yet but it won't be long as the buds are there.
With my fondest love until we meet again one glorious day!! xxxxxxxx
Always remembered with great love and affection and missed every single day.There are such special memories to treasure and he will always be in my heart.
God Bless
Jean xx
Linda
'Beauty from Ashes' (Isaiah 61)
We had a lovely little service led by Ken, including Psalm 23 and the Lord's Prayer, both special memories from George's time in hospital.
Rest peacefully until we meet again in the glorious presence of our Lord Jesus. xxxx
There is a big space left behind as we all remember his lovely smile, his silly jokes and his so kind, patient and loving ways.
He will always be in my heart and I'm so glad I married him all those years ago, What a wonderful life we had together and there are many memories to treasure.
With my love forever xxxx
George and Jean together looked after my mother when Brian and I were away. They have certainly been very good friends to us. God bless
There are fond memories of him at BB Camp and Church Camps, especially as 'tuck shop George.'
'He must have touched the lives of many' Jill & Nye
'I have many happy memories of him from our Carroty Wood days' Janet
'George was always such a kind and considerate man. We know he is irreplaceable' Shirley & Martin
'I always remember his smiling face and words of encouragement from our time at Hoo.' Mandy
'His smiling face & cheerfulness are what I shall remember most' Margaret & Mick
'I have so many fond memories of George, he was a great person and like a Dad to me' Robert
'We thank God for George and the privilege of knowing him.' Muriel & Ron
'I have very fond memories of George during my fellowship at Hoo. God Bless.' Anne & Derrick
'Great memories of our times at BB Camp' Jack & Emily
'A lovely smiling face is my memory of George' Frances
We miss him so much and thank him for the happiness he gave us. Words will never be enough to describe our thoughts and feelings but we know he is now with Jesus, and free from all suffering.
God Bless you darling xxx
Leave a Tribute
Two precious baby girls have joined the family this year. Georgie and Tony had Gracie-Jane in May and Sam and Bekah had Dakota in September.
We are so blessed with their smiles!
Tony's eulogy for Dad, delivered at his funeral on 3rd May 2013
The name on your programme reads, “George Thomas Harvey”, but to me he was just, “Dad”. The story of his life falls into - an almost exact - two equal halves. His first life - the first forty-four years - was, “Before Mum”. His second life - the next forty-four years - was, “With Mum”.
Dad was born the seventh of eight children. Only the youngest, Uncle Les, now survives. He grew up in North Woolwich and left school at fourteen to work as a Clerk before joining the railways.
In 1943 Dad was called up and joined the Royal Corps of Signals as a Driver Operator. He drove ashore at D-Day - which was a blessing as he never learned to swim. He was with Thirty Corp as it advanced across Northern Europe, driving a senior Officer on reconnaissance work and sending signals by morse code.
During the liberation of Aarschott in Belgium he became close friends with a family that he stayed in touch with for the rest of his life. Sadly, the last member of that family, Maria Lemmens, also recently passed away. They spoke for the final time last Christmas.
After the end of the war in Europe Dad was posted to Palestine as part of the peacekeeping force. Then he was demobbed and returned to work on the railways.
He rarely spoke of his military service. He saw and experienced some terrible things and mostly kept them to himself, only occasionally revealing small glimmers of details.
He spent the rest of his working life on the railway, first as a Porter and then in the ticket office before becoming a Controller. He retired at the age of 58.
Dad’s real love was sport. In the 1950’s he won a prize as Sportsman of the Year while playing both football and cricket for the railway. He also served as Treasurer for the cricket team in Belvedere. But, typical of him, he never told us of these achievements. We only found out when we came across hidden trophies. You see, above all he was a quiet and modest man.
But, he did have a good social life with his friends and travelled across Europe on his holidays, using his ‘priv card’ as a railway employee. As the only member of his family who remained unmarried, he looked after his mother until her death.
And then, in 1967, Dad’s first life was over and the second, “With Mum”, started. Mum was separated from her husband and was looking for a home for her, Linda and me, when she found a perfect house with a sitting tenant - George. Lets just wonder - what would have happened if he had not answered that door? But he did - and Mum bought the house. Over time, love blossomed. Films and shows in London seemed to have something to do with it, but what would I know? Two years later, in May 1969, they married.
Dad now had an instant family that included a seven-year old girl, Linda, and a nine-year old boy, me. But it was not all a bed of roses. We brought with us some baggage and I was not an easy son.
He and I were so different. He left school at 14; I went to university. His interests were sport; mine were Scouting and the outdoors. I remember how proud he was when I was selected to play cricket for the school. How disappointed he must have been when I was out first ball. He always said he had had enough of camping in the army so we never did that together. He was practical; I was a book reading academic. I remember he bought me train sets and meccano. I showed some initial interest but they never became the shared pleasure that he must have wished for.
In personality too, we were different. Dad was quiet, modest and unassuming. I am outgoing and – some would say – in your face. But despite all of that, over time I grew to love him for the unselfish, generous and loving rock that he was - devoted to us and to Mum especially. He was my Dad, if not my father. I may not have his DNA, but I carry his name. And it is a name that I strive to live up to.
We always said that Dad could not know just how life for him would change when he married Mum, and adopted Linda and me. That is undoubtedly true. Shortly after they married Mum became a committed Christian. She was evangelical in her beliefs and very enthusiastic. Although he didn’t make that same commitment himself – at least not at first – he was there; supporting Mum, providing for us.
Some have said he must have been a saint. Dad would not agree. In fact he would not like that description at all. But he was to us an angel; our guiding spirit with his practical, no nonsense, wisdom. In time, Dad too became a committed Christian but I have always admired how he coped with the change in his life style after his marriage.
In 1972 we moved here to Gravesend and it was here, in a new area, that our family life took its own shape and pattern. Throughout it all Mum and Dad were devoted to each other and set a great example to the rest of us. They complemented each other – completed each other.
One of the most significant changes was that Mum and Dad became foster parents. First came Paul - as a baby - who they subsequently adopted. Being so young it was as if Paul was Dad’s own. They were very close indeed and had a lot of interests in common. Other foster children followed, to whom Mum and Dad gave love and stability.
We came here to Emmanuel to worship. We threw ourselves into the life of the church and much of our time was spent here. Mum became Captain of the Boys’ Brigade and Dad went camping after all, driving the minibus and running the tuck shop. He is still known as ‘Tuck Shop George’ to many.
After retirement Dad enjoyed a quiet life; gardening, music – country music and military bands were his favourites – and walking the dog. He enjoyed playing cards with a small group of friends. And how could I possibly talk about his life without mentioning his love for a pint. Love, yes. But not – at least in his second life – to excess. He was - after all - quiet, modest and sober. Solid as a rock, despite whatever grief we brought to him – and there was plenty over the years. But he was always there for us. And always with a wonderfully witty and dry sense of humour. As Linda and I married - Linda to Mark and me to Diane - and started our own families, he also became a doting grandfather. And so another generation learned to love him.
So, that was George Thomas Harvey. My Dad, if not my Father. I have his name, if not his DNA. But that to me is far more important. He left his mark on all of our lives and I shall forever be grateful to him for the mark he left on mine. Without him I cannot imagine what would have become of Mum, Linda and me. I do know I would not have become the man I am now.
I shall finish with Mum’s words rather than my own.
“George has been a wonderful, supportive, caring and loving husband to me and a considerate, generous and loyal Dad to Tony, Linda and Paul.
“He was a devoted and caring Grandad to Samuel, Bradley, Timothy, Georgina, Caroline and Tia and was delighted to be a Great-Grandad to Jake.
“Most of all George will be remembered for his big heart, unending patience, wisdom and a quiet understanding.
“We all miss you terribly George, and are so thankful that God blessed us through having you as part of our lives.”
Thank you Dad, and goodbye.