A tribute from your son.
Words alone can never do justice to describe what an amazing man our Dad was and how much we loved him and always will do.
We were lucky to have Dad as our dad, and we always knew it.
Dad was multidimensional. Comfortable and engaging whether he was at a black tie dinner, down the pub with friends, in the office, or having a laugh with the kids on one of our many ski trips.
He loved life. He loved music, travel and eating out, but also loved hosting christmases, parties and family BBQs. He had a long love of all things trains as well as long walks - often planned around pubs - and catching up with his large network of friends old and new. Dad truly was full of life.
Dad was wise and knowledgeable but at the same time humble. He was thoughtful, and always there to offer advice or perspective in his gentle and caring way - and only if it was wanted.
Dad really was a true gentleman with all the qualities we should aspire to.
But amongst Dad's many strengths he did have one minor flaw, he was an avid Brentford fan.
That achilles heel finally disappeared in May this year when the Bees beat Swansea to reach the premier league for the first time in his lifetime.
It’s comforting to know that Dad was not only able to be here to celebrate this unbelievable fairytale, but to also see his beloved Bees remain unbeaten, and even beat Arsenal, the team of his Dad Ronnie, and my boys Rafferty and Artie.
I have fond memories as a Brentford fan in my formative years when Dad would take me to Griffin Park with Grandad and our season tickets.
I still recall some amazing saves from the Bees goalkeeper Bob Booker in that first game, but strangely not many attacking memories. That’s probably not surprising with the likes of Chris Kamara and Terry Hurlock in the side.
I do however remember half time bovrils and a lot of frustrated shouting from Dad, which, aside from when Question Time was on, was the only time I ever really saw him irate - this was division 3 football after all.
But being a Brentford fan suited Dad, as he was a genuinely positive person, always believing in people, and always there to support anyone going through difficult times. That positivity meant that he always had a smile on his face, and that smile and his kind blue eyes and gentle style, will always be the overriding memory of my Dad.
However that belies somewhat of a wild side he had as a young man as many of his good friends have recalled.
On one particular occasion, Dad and a mate borrowed my Grandad’s car without permission. Armed with a toy gun they set off into the badlands of Greenford to recreate a scene from a well known film at the time. Pulling up next to a motorbike at traffic lights, Dad lent out of the window, toy gun in hand, and calmly suggested the easy rider should say his prayers.
Aside from Griffin Park, my early memories with Dad include trips to the Black Horse pub in Greenford.
Dad would buy Carly and me a bottle of coke, and packet of crisps, and allow us to play outside. The black horse, being next to the bridge over the grand union canal, had a 10ft set of concrete steps down to its car park, and an old iron gate at the top of those steps. So whilst Dad enjoyed time with his Miss Fitz mates in the pub, Carly and I would happily swing on the rusty old gate from one side to the other, above the 10ft drop down to the car park. Health and safety would have a field day today.
Funnily enough, pubs feature quite a bit in early memories and I have fond memories of drives out in the countryside where we would play spot the ABC pub - the Aylesbury brewery company.
Dad really did have a talent for making the mundane seem enjoyable.
But the soundtrack to those drives would be Motown and Staxx - especially Otis Redding - Dad really was an original soul boy - but without question, it was during those drives that we were immersed into the world of Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band.
The music of the Boss has been a huge part of life growing up. Carly and I are also massive fans and have had the pleasure of watching a number of live shows with Dad, Kathy and good friends over the years. Our own children are also slowly being indoctrinated into the sounds of the E-Street Band, although Max doesn’t seem to need any encouragement.
I’ve listened to Bruce a lot since Dad’s passing and the songs of runaway american dreams often centre on the essence of life, through love and loss, good times and bad, but with a message of hope and optimism - attributes that Dad had in abundance.
Holidays also feature strongly in our memories, and we were extremely lucky to enjoy so many growing up.
Firstly, trips to Spain, then great fun on family holidays in the 80s at holiday camps in seaside towns with our grandparents, great nan, aunties, uncles, cousins, and knobbly knee contests.
But by the early 90s, Dad and Kathy took us on the first of many amazing ski trips which we enjoyed with an ever growing group of friends and family - the House Party ski trips were the definition of “the more the merrier”.
We will never forget how fortunate we were to enjoy those skiing holidays, and it is testament to Dad’s legacy that we have introduced the next generation of Beatties and Bartletts to the alpine adventures that we loved so much, and look forward to enjoying over many more years to come.
After retirement Dad re-discovered golf which quickly became a new passion. He loved spending time with golf buddies at Wexham Park, and as recently as this summer organised lessons for Rafferty, Artie and Max, who immediately caught the golf bug. Dad and Kathy would come and watch them practice in those July evenings, and we know that they were special moments for him, and yet another legacy that Dad leaves for his beloved grandchildren.
Dad was always there for Carly and I - even when he couldn’t be - and he will always be with us now. We just wish we could have had you for a bit longer Dad.
You were the best Dad a son could have, and the best grandpops for our children.
We love you so much Dad, and you will always be the brightest star in the sky.
steven beattie1
27th September 2021
