I was so proud of my son Jack yesterday - he wrote this poem for Dad and he kept strong and read it without faltering.   Both my sons, Jack and Sam, were pallbearers and that would have meant the world to my Dad.  Well done boys! 

I've prepared a few words to say today,

A Grandson's final adieu,

A tribute to the great man you were,

In a poem, from me, to you.

As a child I'd hear them speak,

And Frank is what they'd say,

But my wish was to call you Pappy,

And you let me have my way.

Your laughter would fill a room,

And you had a heart of solid gold,

And your smile was truly infectious,

And you never really grew old.

I remember the many times we played,

With boats and trains you built with ease,

Questioning who enjoyed it more,

"Can I have a go, please?"

I cherish the many, many family meals,

Your favourite steak and kidney cooking,

A glass or two of Chateauneuf-du-Pape,

And single cream with pudding.

You remind me of long, sunny summer days,

And the smell of fresh cut grass,

Of helping you to mow your lawn,

"Not like that, like this" you'd ask.

You'd often speak of Gordon Bennett,

Though this man I never met,

And you'd smell of Trebor Extra Strong Mints,

And barbecue briquettes.

As you got older, your patience thinned,

But your sense of humour never did fail,

And you loved to watch deafening TV,

Particularly Emmerdale.

Though you didn't just give me memories,

You also taught me many a thing,

To smile, to laugh, to love , to cry,

And to be bad at whistling.

I shed many tears when you said goodbye,

Your final tap on the roof of the car,

But I always smile when I remember you,

As I know you're not that far.

I am truly lucky to call you Grandad,

You mean so much to me,

So sleep well, farewell Frankie boy,

Until next time, my Pappy