The passing of someone special

The past two months really have been really hectic and it has stopped me from being productive on GowerUK.com as you can probably see from the lack of blogging and photographs.

Early last month my grandfather was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He died peacefully on the 2nd of October.

This unfortunate event came as a shock to everyone in my family. My grandfather was a good man, a hard working, kind and thoughful man and he will be missed by everyone that knew him. It still has not sunk in that he is no longer with us..

But at the same time I am grateful for everything he gave to me and my family. At 89 years old he did it all; Started work at 14, fought in the second world war, ran a successful business, married, raised 3 children, 6 grand children and a great grand child. He fulfilled a good life.

I will always remember the good times spent with my grandfather or (Gramper) as I always called him.

Because of him, I experienced Swansea, Gower and the surrounding areas. For this, I am eternally grateful.

His funeral was held on the 12th of this month at Redditch crematorium. It was a really good service and the weather outside was beautiful. Obviously it was a sad occasion but it was nice to catch up with relatives, especially the ones who I have not seen in a while.

Below is a copy of the eulogy from his funeral.

Dennis Thomas Mutton

You will remember him as a much loved father, grandfather, a faithful friend.

Dennis was born in 1920 and brought up in Redditch, the only child of Ruby and Victor. He was an apprentice to a toolmaker. Joining the Territorial Army in 1939 served the war years both in the United Kingdom and in India. He met and married Hilda in 1944 firstly moving to Swansea, and thence back to Redditch they began to build a home and family together.

Even in his early life Dennis was recognised as having natural gifts as an engineer. On leaving the Army in 1945 he was noted by his Commanding Officer to be “quietly confident and effective, showing enterprise and initiative”. His testimonial ends with the words “a very excellent man to have”. And he showed that enterprise and flare for engineering quickly rising from apprentice toolmaker to successful business man having founded together with colleagues the well-known firm of Micro springs in Redditch. I understand that he was early into understanding and using computers – a veritable wiz-kid on the subject!

Dennis was diligent in his work. He got on with people. He was a very kind and polite gentle-man always smartly dressed, always punctual. He was a strong and dependable character a good husband and a good father to Mike and Mervyn, and little Arlene who tragically died at the age of two. There are happy memories of family life and holidays by the sea. Together Dennis and Hilda had many years of happy married life together, enjoying the Rotary and sharing a wide circle of friends.

Since Hilda’s death in 1999, Dennis lived a somewhat quieter life, living independently, enjoying the company of his boys, his grandchildren and his great-grandchild. He was self-sufficient until the last few months of this life and finally died peacefully in the care of the Alexandra Hospital.

And he will be sadly missed.

A very good reflection of my grandfather. I'm sure everyone that knew him would agree.

I will keep the memories with me.

Rest in peace, Gramper.