| Location | Devon & London |
| Age | 53 years |
| Date of Birth | 06/03/1954 |
| Date of Death | 22/05/2007 |
| Visitors | 5,051 since 04/06/2007 |
| Creator |
Ian Dunster
Born 6th March 1954 ~
Died 22nd May 2007
Aged 53 years young
Devon - but always a Londoner!
Has one Daughter ~ myself
and 3 Grand-Daughter's ~
Zulekha, Arifa & Ruqaya
Dad died very suddenly and unexpectedly.
On the morning of Monday 21st May 2007, Dad didn't turn up for work and never made a call, which is
unlike him.
The next day (Tuesday 22nd May), he was found at home in bed and had passed away in his sleep.
Post-Mortem tests revealed he had died from Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis (a blocked artery). This
came as a big shock as he wasn't overweight or what I'd call unfit.
My Dad was born in Hillingdon in West London. He signed up to the Army as that was his dream. He
signed up for 9 years, but sadly only managed to serve 3 years due to epilepsy.
Whilst in the Army, he was in Ireland and witnessed his best friend get blown up. Dad was found to
suffer from epilepsy in the Army and as a result was discharged from the Army, he was absolutely
devastated. A little while after being discharged from the Army, my Dad applied to serve in the
Falklands but kept his epilepsy secret. 13 people applied to go, and my Dad was the only person to
make the second interview. He passed the second interview and finally got around the 3rd interview.
He was so pleased he was finally off to serve again. A few days before he was due to fly out....he
was found out about his epilepsy...and unable to go. He never got over it. That was my Dad, he was
so ashamed of his epilepsy, trying to hold him back, he'd even lie about it to serve in the forces!
My Dad fought his epilepsy and was able to keep it under control with medication, he hated it and
was really upset to learn that I too had been diagnosed when I was 18.
My Mum & Dad got married and he looked upon my elder Sister Kelly as his own child. They seperated
when I was small and my Mum moved to Bristol with me and Kelly. Me and Kelly used to stay in London
with him every school holidays, and I went to live with him a few times throughout my child-hood,
the last time being when I was aged 14.
My Dad was a real party clown and would light up anywhere. He used to embarrass me when I was around
my friends with some tactics he would get up to. He loved playing tricks on people. When ever he
could get a microphone, he'd be up signing to Rhinestone Cowboy!! He idolised Chelsea FC, was more
than the ordinary supporter, perhaps sometimes went to extremes!!
My Dad worked for Air Canada at Heathrow for many years as long as I remember, then he left London
altogether to go and live in Devon to be near his Mum (my Nan). He lived there for about 3 years,
until his recent passing.
Unfortunately, since my Dad died, his family have chosen to dis-own me and my 3 little girls. They
dis-owned me 3 days after my Dad died which happened to be on my 5th wedding anniversary.I am the
only thing left of my Dad and they don't want to know me.
Personally, I think it's more to do with the fact that I'm married to a Jamaican man and have
mixed-race children. Ever since I got married in 2002, they seemed to think differently of me,
no-one attended my wedding from that side of the family, although my Dad did, and done the duty of
giving me away. My Dad and I, were both happy on my wedding day. In fact someone said to him "how do
you feel, now you've lost your Daughter?" and his reply was "I haven't lost my Daughter, I've gained
a Son-in-Law!". People cheered him for saying that. My Dad was there also to greet me and my Husband
on returning from Jamaica, at Heathrow, and drove us all the way back to Bristol.
My Dad and I had our ups and downs, like a lot of parents with their children, I wasn't perfect, nor
was he...
But he was my Dad and we love each other, no matter what. He gave me away when I got married, and he
came to my Daughters' Christening's.
I will love my Dad forever, his family may want to forget about me and shun me, whatever, but they
will NEVER erase my memories of my Dad.
My Dad's funeral songs were:
If Tomorrow Never Comes (Ronan Keating)
Dance With My Father (Luther Vandross)
Blue Is The Colour (The Chelsea FC song!)
************************
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike
and today may be the last time you get to hold your loved ones tight.
So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day.
You didn't take the extra time for a smile, hug or kiss
you were too busy to grant someone what turned out to be their last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today, and whisper in their ear,
tell them how much you love them and you'll always hold them dear.
Take time to say "I'm sorry", "Please forgive me", "Thank you" or "It's ok"
and if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today.
HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY DAD
Hello Dad, well it's your Birthday! Happy Heavenly Birthday to you Dad.
Me and the girls all have on our Chelsea tops today, I bought a new one today, but still added the 'RIP DAD' and the number '53' on the back just like my other one.
When we walked into the butchers this morning, one of the men said "oh no, sorry you can't come in with THAT shirt on"!!. I just told him it was in memory of you and they were ok with that then lol!!
We went to Tesco's and bought a CHELSEA cake with blue candles so this evening we'll sing you happy birthday and eat some cake.
I'll try and take some pictures and add them here.
Wherever you are Dad, please try and stay close to us, keep looking down on us, at times I feel so lost.
Well i must be off to finish cooking but have a lovely birthday with the angels Dad.
Love and miss you as always xxxxxx
For a father on his birthday
Dad...so many images come to mind
whenever I speak your name;
It seems without you in my life
things have never been the same.
What happened to those lazy days
when I was just a child;
When my life was consumed in you
in your love, and in your smile.
What happened to all those times
when I always looked to you;
No matter what happened in my life
you could make my gray skies blue.
Dad, some days I hear your voice
and turn to see your face;
Yet in my turning...it seems
the sound has been erased.
Dad, who will I turn to for answers
when life does not make sense;
Who will be there to hold me close
when the pieces just don't fit.
Oh, Dad, if I could turn back time
and once more hear your voice;
I'd tell you that out of all the dads
you would still be my choice.
Please always know I love you
and no one can take your place;
Years may come and go
but your memory will never be erased.
Today, Jesus, as You are listening
in your home above;
Would you go and find my dad
and give him all my love.
Judy Burnette
The evening before your Birthday
Hello Dad, well it is your Birthday tomorrow, I hope you have a Happy Heavenly Birthday up there.
I'm off out in the morning after taking Zulekha and Arifa to school and Nursery, I'll be buying your cards and some flowers to put in your garden and also in my front room.
It is hard without you Dad, just to know that even the silliest thing i can not ring you and tell you. I miss you so much still Dad, I'll never stop missing you I don't think. I think about you all the time.
Well Dad, I'll be back tomorrow. I've changed my facebook picture to one of me and you, my friend thinks i look just like you in the picture!!
Night night Dad, love and miss you even more each day, love from Sarah xxxxxx
The evening before your Birthday
Hello Dad, well it is your Birthday tomorrow, I hope you have a Happy Heavenly Birthday up there.
I'm off out in the morning after taking Zulekha and Arifa to school and Nursery, I'll be buying your cards and some flowers to put in your garden and also in my front room.
It is hard without you Dad, just to know that even the silliest thing i can not ring you and tell you. I miss you so much still Dad, I'll never stop missing you I don't think. I think about you all the time.
Well Dad, I'll be back tomorrow. I've changed my facebook picture to one of me and you, my friend thinks i look just like you in the picture!!
Night night Dad, love and miss you even more each day, love from Sarah xxxxxx
sleep tite
sleep tite Ian, and watch over yr beautiful daughter Sarah n her gawjus 3 daughters she is one in a million as you will no, cos i know you wil be watching over her. What a tower of strength sarah is i wil never know where she gets it from she has been a rock to me, yes only a few conversations on facebook but she is a daughter you wil be so proud of, sleep tite angel spread yr angel wings over her and the girls n give them a bit more strength xxxxxxxx
Hello Dad
Hello Dad, hope ur ok up there, it's blimming feeeeezing!!!
I stayed in new years eve as always and took the children to the zoo on new years day as they have two reindeer there called jingle and belle, they're only there until the 4th january before going back to north america. Anyway the kids loved them and stroked them and fed them it was lovely, as when we went to see santa, Arifa said they werent even real reindeers, so now she has seen the real ones she loved it!! bless her.
Arifa goes back to nursery on monday, Zulekha goes back to school tuesday, so i really want to crack on with the job hunting again. i have found the christmas and new year hard to deal with but i just have to try remain strong although at times i feel like i'm in this bubble and its about to burst.
Cousin Jindy is now engaged Dad, he boyfriend proposed on christmas day, isn't that lovely Dad?
well i must go now, but take care up there and i'll ba back soon. Look over us all Dad and guide us safely, you know i have upset at the moment. xxxxxx
Boxing Day
Hello Dad sorry i didnt come here yesterday on christmas day but i wont go into it here but you must have seen my upset. It wasnt a good christmas given the circumstances but i'm glad it's over and i can try and move on. Today was a brighter day and the kids have had lots of fun playing - Zulekha on her nintendo ds, Arifa with her leapster2 and dancing pegasus and ponies and Ruqaya chasing that blimming upsy daisy bed!! At least they had fun, they love their tv in their room as well.
Well Dad i'm sorry it's short but i'm off now and i'm hoping to come back on here soon when i feel a bit happier.
Take care up there and guide us Dad. Love and miss you always, Sarah xxxxxx
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYONE
THIS TRIBUTE IS FOR FRIDAY (BUSY DAY FOR ME)
Our Lives changed, the very moment you passed away.
We couldn't stop it; there was nothing we could say.
You've touched our lives so deeply to a point you will never know,
We try to think about you when we are feeling down and low.
Sometimes when our day gets hard we will think about your beautiful smile
And if we listen hard enough we will hear your voice after a while.
It's you who give us a reason to go on with our day,
And now if we want to see you we'll bow our heads and pray.
We catch ourselves looking for you still, in the halls and at the front door,
But when we call your name there is no reply any more!
We never thought a day would come where we would be apart,
God has you in his keepings, we have you in our hearts.
Life will go on, but never will be the same,
Your beautiful smile is gone, but it will always remain.
You're our angel from up above.
You'll always be missed, but most importantly... loved.
Just one more minute, God, is all we ask- why can't you give them back;
It seems like such a simple task. We guess people are right when they say God only takes the best,
We know enough now that you're peacefully at rest.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
You can shed tears that they are gone,
Or you can smile because they lived,
You can close your eyes and pray that they will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that they have left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see them
Or you can be full of the love that you shared,
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember them and only that they are gone
Or you can cherish the memory and let it live on,
You can cry and close your mind be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what they would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
I'm writing this from heaven, where I dwell with God above.
Where there's no more tears or sadness, there's just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy because I am out of sight
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
And I will stay beside you, every day, week and year
And when you're sad I'll still be there to wipe away your tears.
When you think of my life on earth and all those living years
Because your only human their bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry it does relieve the pain
Remember there wouldn't be flowers unless we first had rain.
I wish I could tell you of all that God has planned
But even if I were able to, you wouldn't understand.
When your going down the street and you've got me on your mind
I'm walking in your footsteps and only half a step behind.
And if you feel a gentle breeze or wind upon your face
Remember it's only me with a loving and soft embrace.
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Thoughts Today Memories Forever
Angela(Christopher-John Rowe)
Thursday
Christmas tree and baubles for you Dad
Hello Dad, hope you're ok up there, it's flipping freezing but i wish we'd have some snow to make the place look really pretty! Today i bought you an ornamental christmas tree that has little bulbs like candles lit up, it's beautiful and i placed it beside you. I am still having to buy you a proper christmas tree for your garden which i will do, and will also tidy your garden up and re-do your flowers soon. I have just dedicated a bauble to the gts christmas tree for you as well. The kids are well excited as the days draw nearer bless them. Zulekha is going to be an elf in her Christmas play and so today i bought her an elf costume, it's lovely! Didn't think i'd see one today but i did!! Well i'm really tired Dad, was up at 5 this morning and it's after midnight now so before i know it, it'll be 24 hours up!! Love and miss you Dad always, look down on us and guide us please Dad, thinking of you always xxxxxx
Right now I'm in a different place
And although we seem apart
I'm closer than I ever was
I'm there inside your heart
I'm with you when you greet each day
And while the sun shines bright
I'm there to share the sunsets too
I'm with you every night
I'm with you when the times are good
And if a tear should start to fall
I'll still be there for you
And when the day arrives
That we are no longer apart
I'll smile and hold you close to me
Forever in my heart
Sorry ive not been on for a while but due to PC playing up and other probs not been possible.
My Love to you and your loving family xxxxx
Create an ever lasting memorial for your loved ones.
Start here »
Using the options below you can add this memorial to your personal garden.
| I am Ian's ... | |
| Add to Garden: | |
| Notifications: | Text Message |
There have been 1488 candles lit for Ian.
