One arrives and one departs :(

[decapod]

My joy at becoming a great uncle last week was tempered by losing my own uncle Ted to cancer yesterday.

Please excuse me but this just seemed to be an apt place for me to ramble as Ted was a very keen aviation enthusiast.

It's amazing how little I knew about his life until I started to chat more with him after he was diagnosed with myeloma last year.
Even now I'm not 100% certain about the facts but now I have no more chances to talk.
As a young man he did his national service with 500 sqn at West Malling (and Malta) - Meteors, not sure what mark, but one had a blue tail.
The rest of his working life was at Heathrow, with BEA and BA, finally retiring about 10 years ago as a chief flight planning officer. He did mention something about G-APEX being one of his favourites, there was a model of it in his lounge.

He loved flying (but never became a pilot), hot air ballooning, pretty girls (always charmed the nurses) and classic racing cars & racing and died peacefully just before the british grand prix.

[nigelb]

Paul, my condolences to you and your family.

Nigel²

[DaveB]

Sri to hear your news Paul. My sincere condolences.

ATB

DaveB

[Garry Russell]

Sorry to read this Paul

My thoughts are with all of you

[Paul K]

Sincerest condolences, Paul.

[DelP]

Paul, my sincerest condolences to you and yours.

Hopefully the arrival of the little one will bring some joy at this sad time.

Kindest regards,

Derek

[Filonian]

Bitter/Sweet news Paul.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

Graham

[nazca_steve]

A tough time indeed, I had a similar experience with my Nana just before my first child was born, and I remember thinking the same thing as the title of your post, which was of some comfort. Condolences.

[delticbob]

Very sorry to hear of your loss Paul

Bob