Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things we can go through, No words can express what we are all feeling right now and I’m sure only time can help us accept the fact that Noels physical being has left us.
Today I want to pay a tribute to my uncle Noel one of the greatest men alive. A man who meant the world to me. If you knew my uncle you would know that he was not without his problems. But you know how you have that one person in your family that everyone loves and respects that was him.
As most of you may know my uncle was a very proud man. To his friends, family and colleagues he was a very kind person and was always ready to help. He always had a solution to every problem and had his ways of making things simple.
He hardly ever asked anybody for help but he was a very generous man, and he never wanted to be acknowledged for anything he did. When he helped he simply helped.
He was the one who took care of my grandparents and made sure they had a roof over their heads and that they wanted for nothing, I know just how much my gran is going to miss the Son who never left her side.
And Granny although he is no longer physically at your side he now sits up there in heaven with Oupa and Uncle Brian watching over you. He will always be nearby just talk and he will hear you.
He was so pleasant to be around and always knew how to have a good time.
My uncle wore glasses and had a big belly, and my sister always referred to him as father Christmas and father xmas we loved you so much.
My fondest memories from my childhood have him in it. My uncle was the eldest of seven boys, so he was the leader of the family.
He loved to walk just like his dad and walked everywhere he could.
When I was growing up I used to spend so much time with him Aunty Betsy and Wendy. We all used to have so much fun together; His house was always filled with laughter and people. The four of us would have so much fun at home or going on holiday together.
I remember Uncle Noel, Wendy and my self playing in the garden of their house one day, we were trying to find Wendy’s tortoise and this darn tortoise would just not show us where he was, the three of us were on our knees together looking for it. I can still hear his keys jingling every move he made he use to clip them on to his side. We found the tortoise eventually and when wendy picked it up he weed in her hand. Boy was that funny.
Wendy reminded me just the other day of FREDDY, Uncle Noel would always and I mean always carry a Freddy comb in his sock to fix his hair. When we were younger he often use to pull Freddy out and sting us with it, I can picture now in my mind that smile and giggle every time he got one of us with Freddy.
When the movie dirty dancing came out he would sit with us and watch the whole movie every time and at the end of the movie he knew he had to do the lift with us, and boy did he have to lift us all, Wendy first, then Rene then Jonathan and over and over again. I think that was the reason he had the strong arms that he did. We would giggle in excitement every time we got up in the air.
My uncle could dance in his younger days, well at least from what I remember. Aunty betsy and uncle noel threw the best new years parties and I remember every one was there, ask my uncle to Jive and jive he would. Wendy often use to stand on her dads toes and he would dance around with her like that.
He loved his grandchildren so much and would give anything just to make them smile, Ronald Crystal Nathan Brandon and Twane, I know you are going to miss your oupa very much, never ever forget just how much he loved you all. Crystal Oupa was so proud of you and he use to tell me all the time that you were going to be a doctor, the only facrie that would walk around in the white coat. I know he would want each of you to always try your best in everything you do and most importantly he would want you to do it with God at your side.
Wendy – your dad loved you more than he loved anything else in this world, he had so many dreams and hopes for you. I can’t begin to tell you how many times your dad expressed to me and to others just how much he loved you.
Remember when you use to squash the bees and the day the bee stung you on your hand, do you remember just how worried your dad was.
Wendy use to polish uncles noels shoes for work and for some reason she would polish the bottom of his shoes, he would slip often because of the polish under his shoes but not once did he ever ask her not to do it. he would put the shoes on again and hope he would not fall again.
Wend You and I have spent a lot of time since your dad got so sick together at the hospital, running errands doing what needed to be done, and I know just how many times you cried and said “nay how do I make it up to my dad all the wrong I did over the years all I want is a chance to say Daddy I am sorry” and all I could say was “be there for him now hold him and tell him you are sorry and love him” and now I have realized that there is a way that you can make it up to him and that is “ Lead your Children and your self to God and love your kids as much as he loved you” that my God sister is what would make your dad eternally happy.
The passing of Noel Facrie is going to one of the hardest for me personally and for many of you sitting here today. Take his memory and let it live on just the way he tried so hard to live and that was through GOD.
He showed strength until the end and still had some enlightening and funny words for us words I am sure my mom Gran and Wendy would not want me to repeat.
Let’s be happy that he has finally gone home to our creator and is free of all pain physical and emotional.
God saw you getting tired A cure was not to be, So He put His arms around you, and whispered, "Come To Me.
"With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you fade away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.Many times we thought of you, many times we've cried, If love alone could save you, you never would have died. A golden heart stopped beating, your tender hands at rest, God took you home to prove to us He only takes the best.