Kevin
Walsh, R.I.P. (Really Interesting Person)
A tribute by
Rick Walker
From time to time a larger than life
character arrives on the scene and makes a huge impact on all those
around. On other occasions someone with a quiet approach potters around
in the background, unseen by most of us, helping out wherever they can.
In Kevin we had both of these
personalities rolled into one – and what a one!
From his first visit to St Faith's it
was obvious that he wanted to join in, to be part of the family, to
take his share in the running and the responsibility of
supporting church where a ‘Catalick’ lad from Toxteth could feel
at home and where everyone was appreciated for what they were.
Kevin had many roles in St
Faiths: server, fund raiser, men’s group member, panto player, visitor,
and a friend to everyone. His time as a police officer (Cuddly Kev the
Community Cop!) gave him insight into the lives of many less fortunate
than him, and he was always mindful of those whose life was not easy.
Many in St Faith's and elsewhere have been grateful for his visits, his
phone calls, his car lifts and his caring support.
Probably because of his own less that
privileged upbringing, he always sought out those with problems and did
all he could to help out. For someone who was an acknowledged expert in
Anglo Saxon, and who would have been a ‘hard’ man to meet when he was
working, Kevin was a very soft person underneath his uniform.
His love for his family was paramount,
and many times he would be sitting in a pub in Yorkshire for pint after
pint after pint, wondering what to buy his three girls as a present to
take home.
Stories told of him and by him
in the Men’s Group must for reasons of National Security stay
confidential for another 99 years, and the planting of the custard bush
next to the saucepan tree will puzzle archaeologists for years to come,
but his nocturnal occupation of the security lodge is the stuff of
legends! His only regret was that of only coming second in the Great
Snoring Competition of 2004.
He died from what is best described in
layman’s terms as an enlarged heart, and no one should be surprised to
hear that. Kevin lived his life to the full, and shared that life with
as many as he could. He gave generously of himself and leaves some
wonderful memories behind for us all.
So, from the winner of the
Great
Snoring Competition and all in the Men’s Group: “Cheers for everything
Kevin, this round’s on us.”
Bringing
Kevin Home
by
Denis Grifiths
Shocked and
distraught at the death of our dear brother Kevin, members of the Men`s
Group felt that they wanted to do something and it was suggested that
we could offer ourselves as pallbearers. Sue was asked and kindly
agreed that we could carry Kevin into church on the Monday evening
before Tuesday`s funeral. Six pallbearers would be needed and they were
more or less self-selecting as a number of the group`s members,
although willing, were physically unable to perform the duty.
Rick, Paul, Michael, Brian, Leo and myself were to act as pallbearers,
with Peter available as reserve should anyone not be able to be in
church. We knew that carrying Kevin would be emotionally draining but
it would be not as bad as watching strangers carrying him. Anyway there
were six of us and we would all offer each other physical and emotional
support.
On Monday evening at about 5.45pm we gathered as a group at the back of
church and organised ourselves into three pairs, each couple of
approximately the same height. The undertaker gave us some brief
instruction and then it was outside to where the hearse was waiting.
That is when the full extent of this tragedy hit me. I saw the hearse
with its precious cargo to the left and to the right were Sue, Laura,
Grace and a mass of other people; tomorrow would be no ordinary
funeral. Helped by the undertakers we removed the coffin from the
hearse, turned around to face the porch and then raise the coffin on
our shoulders.
As we moved into church the family formed in procession behind.
Movement was automatic and I was glad that I was not leading as my eyes
were filled with tears.
We stopped near the font and Fr Martin started the brief service. I
heard some of the words but must admit that this interlude allowed me
to think about the sadness of the past week and Kevin`s impact on all
of our lives. One constant thought was “I am carrying my friend and he
was 14 years younger than me”.
Then we were moving again, heading up the aisle. About a minute and a
dozen or so memories later we stopped again. Assisted by the
undertakers we lifted the coffin from our shoulders and gently laid it
on the stand in front of the nave altar.
Kevin was home.
Simply
the Best
by Geoff Moss
I first met Kevin when Fr Richard introduced him to the Men’s Group
nearly 20 years ago. He was a Police Officer and I worked in the
Ambulance Service. We soon discovered that we had a lot in common: both
of us had driven emergency vehicles with blue lights and sirens. We
soon started sharing our experiences and became close friends.
Kevin enjoyed being part of the Men’s Group and never missed a meeting.
At our Annual Retreat to North Yorkshire each January he would
enthusiastically throw himself into helping me with the cooking. Every
morning when I came down to make breakfast, Kevin had already cleaned
the fire and would have a roaring log fire blazing. He would then make
tea and coffee and would serve everybody their drinks in bed.
Kevin was a family man who loved Sue, Laura and Grace. He was very
proud of them and would talk to me about them a lot. He loved
socializing and was a great party host. Standing behind the bar in his
garden, Kevin ensured everybody was enjoying themselves.
Being a devout Christian who enjoyed being a part of the serving team
was important to Kevin. Apart from holidays, he never missed church on
a Sunday. Recently, Sue and Kevin enjoyed going on the parish retreat
to Compostela De Santiago.
He loved to write quizzes and each year compiled quizzes for the men’s
group retreat and for the November fundraiser for the senior citizens
Christmas Lunch. He also each donned the famous red suit to entertain
children every December, a role he loved!
Kevin will be greatly missed by everybody: he was quite simply a lovely
person and my best friend. Knowing him has enriched my life and I will
always miss him.
Just like the song says, he was “simply the best.”
God bless Kevin
'If I Only Had Five Minutes...'
by Grace Walsh
If I only had five minutes the day you passed away,
I would have had time to tell you all the things I needed to say.
I never got to tell you how much you mean to me,
Or that you were the best dad, better than any man could be.
The last time that I talked to you
I wish I would have known.
I would have said I love you,
and not left you on your own..
If I only had five minutes,
the morning you passed away,
I'd give you one last hug so tight and see your great big smile.
I'd tell you that I don't think I could live without you,
not even for awhile.
I'd kiss your cheek and take your hand and tell you it's okay to go
And tell you that I'll miss you,
more than you'll ever know.
But you were gone so quickly,
One last morning that you’d wake
Before you even knew it,
you were standing at heaven's gate.
Now God has called upon you,
It's time to get your wings.
To leave this life behind you,
And enjoy all of heaven's beautiful things.
So wait for me in heaven Dad,
Don't let me come alone.
The day the angels come for me,
Please be there to bring me home.
King
Rat, King Cornelius, King ding-a-ling - King of our hearts!
We had only known Kevin for about three years, but you could know him
for ten minutes and feel he was your best friend.
He had a massive impact on our lives, somebody we both, looked up to,
respected and admired, and one we could always ask for advice. He
became one of our great friends, he was always there for us, a man of
wise words who you could rely on to say the right thing at the right
time.
His life held many great stories, which we enjoyed listening to, and
will miss immensely. We will never forget him, his smile, his
laughter, his sarcasm and his wit! We are privileged to have
known him, and will keep his memory alive.
God Bless You Kev,
Mike and Cath
Taylor x x
A Lucky Break!
As we all know by now, Kevin was a
proud member of St Faith's Men's Group and loved the yearly retreat to
Yorkshire. On one particular trip, Kevin had been given different
medication from his doctor and had a bad reaction – passing out and
breaking his leg. Off we all went to Darlington Hospital and as we
waited in the corridor, what can only be described as a heavenly vision
came towards us - a nurse with the most enormous breasts we’d ever
seen. (I kid you not gents, these were fantastic specimens!). Father
Charles shouted “Bloomin’ heck!” as the rest of us picked our jaws up
off the floor.
Kevin went to see the doctor, who
confirmed the break and sent him to the plaster room. We knocked on the
door and who answered? Yes, you’ve guessed it, Boobiana, later to
become affectionately known as ‘Big Baps’. Like kids, we asked if we
could all come in while Kevin got his leg plastered. Big Baps agreed,
providing we behaved ourselves.
Kevin lay on the bed and as the nurse
held his leg with her breasts no more than a foot away from his face,
she muttered these immortal words: “Kevin, can you go all floppy for
me?”
Father Charles passed out, Geoff was
hyperventilating and as for the rest of us, our jaws were back on the
floor! We heard that Father Charles spent the next three months in
confession, not listening to other people's, but making his own.
What an unforgettable experience that
was.
Thanks for the memories, Big Kev !
Paul Jones
(as delivered to a
packed and appreciative church at Kevin's funeral)
A Very
Special Dad
Dad was
special, unique, funny, caring, generous, intelligent, reliable and
dependable. I can't describe how much I'm going to miss him, he was the
best Dad I ever could have wished for and he was my best friend.
There are so many memories, I could write a book. But, there is one
story in particular that always makes me laugh no matter how many times
I tell it.
It was 2003, I was nearly 17 and we were in Majorca on a summer holiday
with two other families. We had gone for a celebration meal to mark
Dad's retirement from the Police and Dad generously footed the bill.
Dad and I are very competitive individuals and, as the Sangria flowed
and the meals arrived, he glanced over at my meal (It was almost a full
cooked chicken) and he challenged me, "If you eat all of that chicken,
I'll show my a*** at the waterpark tomorrow."
The bet was on!!! Even though everyone had finished eating, I struggled
on, determined to win. Dad was laughing because I was beginning to look
ill.
He wasn't laughing at the waterpark the next day!!
Have fun up there dad and save me a cooked chicken :-)
Love you,
Laura
xxx
Never a
Dull Moment...
My mobile phone has never been so quiet since Kev passed away – no more
bombarding us with jokes that would certainly liven up a dull day!
There are so many memories Emily and I have over the years: remembering
us “adults” on the bouncy castle in the early days of the parish
barbecue, (when the little ones had gone of course!). I have the photos
to prove it! Then there was Kevin laughing at me on my debut as a
server when the banner of St Mary fell off its pole on to my head while
processing from Merchants’ to Church! And we will never forget Kevin
and Leo’s “Lou and Andy” routine for Emily’s 13th birthday, to name but
a few.
Kevin was one of the most supportive and reliable people we have ever
met, and along with Susan, I always knew that we could call upon them
in time of need. We have shed many tears, but also, when we think of
Kevin, we cannot help but smile, and are so proud to have been able to
call him our friend.
May you rest in peace Kev,
All our love
Jude and Emily
xxx
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