Dear Fred,
You were a boy of 13 years when we met in Reith im Alpbachtal/Austria. You were there with your classmates and teachers to learn skiing. I was your ski- instructress.
You were young and just about to feel as „grown ups“ and so you guys convinced me to ski different directions to your teachers in order not to be seen by them.
You guys always wanted to ski into the woods and have a rest just to say „ now, Let’s have a fag!“
You were a funny group of young boys and we had a good time together. After a week you were quite good skiers and finished your course with the ski-race.
The following summer I spent in London/Hammersmith. Your house in Chiswick was so near and I just popped in one day to meet you.
What a surprise: Your mum Noreen made me so welcome in the family - she invited me again and I enjoyed your company and your wonderful family.
You taught me English and how to unse swear-words. You showed me all your work and your hobby in your father‘s garage- the old Bentley and you took me to the cinema as you always had free tickets( from delivering newspapers…)
From this summer onwards our two families became friends. We visited each other here and there many times….
(-Austria- Tirol/ England)
My deep feelings were with your mum Noreen, with you, Bill and Jackie when your dear father Fred passed away during your holiday in Spain. You children were so very young to loose your father and I felt so sorry for your mother and for you three kids.
Your father was a great and kind man with such a good sense of humour.
One summer I got to know Debbie and Leigh as your and Bill‘s girl-friends…. How nice for me to be together with you all and to see you in love with your Debbie.
So theHannington family was growing and I enjoyed this very much.
One summer you drove over to Austria in your Camper-van with Debbie and little Robert.
We had so many memories that we shared and we lived the happy moments with you and also took the sad ones.
I do miss my dear friend Noreen-(I called her my English mum) and her sister Mary.
Dear Fred,
You and Debbie and your wonderful kids Robert and Dannie made a perfect family.
I will never forget you as a friend.
Thank you so much for everything.
We and our families shared a lifelong friendship and I do hope that this will go on in the next generation.
RIP Fred!
„May God keep you in the palm of his hand“
Your Austrian friend
Maria