As frequent reader's of this Blog will know, I write alternate weeks about Music and my Life, this week is a bit different!
I am starting a Profile of Barry White, an Artist me & my Wife have liked for Years, I purchased my first Album back in 1975! But one of his Biggest Fans, was our Former Neighbour and Friend!
His name was George Bowles, (the photo above was taken the day we moved house) when we first met him in 1999 , he was about 73 years old , it was when we first moved into our previous Bungalow, he introduced himself within about 5 seconds of moving in, and one of the first things We discovered about him, was he was a Big Barry White Fan, what a surprise that was, he was about 73 years old!
George had done something about 10 years previous, which I wish I had done "seen Barry White in concert"
He had plenty of his Tapes and knew all about B.W, he used to sing all his songs, I remember my Grandaughter's 4th Birthday Party, which we had in our back garden with about 25/30 people there, George was singing at the top of his voice to B.W tracks, that was a Great Moment!
We lived next to George for about 3 years, he was without doubt the BEST NEIGHBOUR AND FRIEND we had ever had or likely to have, he was like a father to me & Susan and a Grandad to my 2 kids (Nathan & Natalie), our Grandaughter Jessica also loved him the same as a grandad!
GEORGE WAS A GREAT MAN!
Unfornately George got Cancer around middle of 2002 , by Setember 2002 we had moved Houses, but every week we went back to see George, we took him to our new House, which he liked! the people who had brought our Bungalow, also got on with George and used to cook him some meals etc!
I remember the last time I saw George, March 2003, it was a Friday before I went to the Gym about 2pm, I popped in as usual, he was in his bed, but was not his normal Cheerful self, he appologised but said he cant be bothered to speak, as he felt unwell!
George had his Brother Malcolm there, (he looked after George and was always popping in and doing things for him) so I had a talk with Malcolm, and he was concerned, as George was always cheerful!
Anyway the following Sunday, Malcolm cane around about 10 am to tell us the bad news!
George had died the Day before............................................
What a shock that was, now me and Susan had both lost our Fathers , years previous, but this was a bigger Shock as they were!
We mourned George for weeks and of course we all went to his funeral!
And what Music did George have playing at his Funeral, of course it was Barry White!
The final track was George's favorite " You're the first, my last , my everything"
I have never seen my close Family so upset, as much as when George died!
In fact to underline what we thought of him, I am shedding a tear writing this Blog entry and when I read it to Susan, she did the same!
A coincidence concerning George's Death, Barry White died only One Month earlier!
It was a fitting send off , to a Great Man! who is still missed to this day!
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