Remembering Len 1921 - 2020
The Eulogy read at Len’s funeral on Thurs 5th Nov 2020
Len was born in Thames Ditton 99 years ago and has lived in that area all of his life. He was married to Audrey in 1949 at the age of 28 and Audrey 23 both committed Christians. They became members of Hook Evangelical church and served in various ministries in the church, Len as an elected deacon and Audrey in Sunday school work. Len was a chartered Quantity Surveyor and worked for the Day School Girls Trust up to retirement.
During many of our times together Len would often reflect on his love for Audrey who died in 2005. He would reminisce of their holidays in their favourite location on the Scilly Isles. We would talk about the war and his job in the war years as a Quantity Surveyor for the Air Ministry in developing many small airfields in the south and east of England. Many years ago Hook church purchased a red London transport double decker bus to be used to take the Gospel to many small villages in the Surrey county. After the bus was repainted blue and internal refurbishment, it was constantly used but needed as always servicing and repairs. Len was in his element when we needed to work on it for servicing. Using his many contacts, he never ceased to amaze me how he obtained even the largest spanner I had ever seen, he would say: you provide the manpower and knowledge and I will provide the workshop manuals and tools. He never failed.
A Christian friend Cliff remembers how Len had a great love of the countryside and knew the lanes and tracts of Surrey and Sussex very well. He explored this area on foot and bicycle. Len told him of his daily bicycle rides into his office in central London during the war years and having to find different routes because of the bomb damage. Everyone who knew him knew of his unique style of humour. Another friend Linda Goodenough remembers Len for his very dry sense of humour and how he loved driving speedily and never wanted to give his license up; and in the later years would just sit in his car on the drive going nowhere but just enjoying sitting in his car.
My wife Jenny thought Len was so neatly dressed and always looked the gentleman in his shirt and tie and wearing a smart large brimmed trilby hat when he came to have lunch with us. I have known my Christian Brother Leonard Oakshett for 40 years but in that time I have never heard him be critical or say a bad word about anyone even in his times of real pain and suffering. Over the years we had rewarding times of prayer and biblical discussions all to my benefit. In the last couple of years Len remarked that he had lived too long and was ready to be with his heavenly Father when he would be reunited with his beloved Audrey.
I must not forget to say thank you to Don and Faye his neighbours and friends. They have diligently cared for Len for many years, battling with his hard of hearing and caring for his very personal needs each day. Again thank you from us all.
Len you now have your last desire fulfilled and you are now in the presence of your Lord and Saviour, we thank God for your life and for the privilege of knowing you my Christian Brother
Steve
Senior Open Home
Jan 2018