When Jackie asked me to read the poem for Ian, I was pleased to be able to do it. However reading poems aloud is not my forte and I must admit to being a little nervous. I did not want to trip over the words, especially today when we are all here for him. Then I thought of Ian looking down on us and realised that if I did mess up, his reaction would be to have a warm sympathetic chuckle, because that was the sort of man he was. A gentle man in every sense of the word. A man with a wicked sense of humour and a take on life that made him always such good company. Even during the darkest days of his illness, I would visit him whenever I was in Spain and he would always greet me with a smile, “Hello mate” in his lovely accent and a warm hand shake and I in return always had the utmost respect for the courageous way he bore his illness, I don’t think that I ever once heard him complain or feel sorry for himself. Ian has left us far too early, which is a tragedy for him, his family and his friends. As he looks down on us here today I know, and hope that he knows what a legacy he has left. Ian and Jackie have raised 3 loving daughters and I have seen at first hand what a strong and close knit family he has left behind. This, more than anything in life is what it’s all about - being a good husband father and grandfather and from where I stood, Ian seemed to have it in spades. I would also like to pay tribute to Jackie, because she more than anyone has had to be so brave and bear the daily stress, knowing that she was losing him. She has looked after Ian so well and so lovingly and should be very proud of the way that she has coped. On a lighter note, to quote a line from one of the songs that Ian has requested today, ”Always look on the bright side of death” I’m sure that Ian is with us in spirit, that is if he isn’t already on the golf course and I wouldn’t put that past him. By the time I get there he will probably be playing off of a 3 handicap. For myself, I will always think of Ian and smile, he was always such a good honest and very close friend and I will always feel so privileged to have known him and am going to miss him so very much.