Monday 16 March 2015

Alan Russell Hawkins - RIP

After returning home on Sunday, I got some sad news. My Uncle had passed away and been found by his two brothers - several days later. I can only imagine how traumatic an experience that would have been.

My Uncle Alan was an interesting man. He was very private, quite opinionated, served in the Australian Army for over 20 years, co-owned a paper supply business and was a voracious reader. I think in a small way, he passed on a love of reading to me at an early age. For many years when we were little, his Christmas gifts were always books - something I looked forward to. He took great care to purchase the appropriately aged book for us. Later, we would look forward to monthly deliveries of new books that he had purchased, read and no longer required - he was like our own personal book supplier! Although we only saw him at Christmas time in recent years, we will miss him. As children, we would look forward to Friday nights when he would come over for games nights. We played so many games - that was something I really enjoyed growing up. We played card games, and board games, and when we finally got a home computer, computer games too. Being so private, there aren't a lot of photos of Uncle Alan - he was never one to be the centre of attention, he was happy to just be in the background. I am proud of his service for his country which included involvement in the Vietnam War. He never married, and didn't have children but he was part of our family. As difficult as it would have been for them, I am glad it was his brothers who found him. In recent years, they had become much closer; regularly catching up and keeping an eye out for each other. It was Alan's non-appearance at a dinner date that got them worried and prompted them to go round to his place to check on him.

Rest in Peace
Alan Russell Hawkins 
15 June 1948 - 6 March 2015

7 comments:

  1. So sorry for your loss, but what a gift he'd given you,his time and what wonderful memories.

    Sandy

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  2. so sorry for your loss

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  3. I'm so sorry for your family's great loss. It sounds like he was a wonderful person who cared deeply for others. My thought go out to you and your family.

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  4. So sorry for your loss Kerrie, May you remember him fondly every time you start a new book!

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  5. So sorry for your loss! Hugs and prayers!

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  6. So sorry for your loss! Hugs and prayers!

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