Although never keen to do anything much of a physical nature, John literally leapt at the prospect of becoming one of the small band of 9 lifers. And, if you’ve read his story, you’ll know he absolutely, openly and humorously owned his self-admitted health and wellbeing failings: days spent watching his beloved snooker on the TV, his involvement with the gym which might have involved lifting the odd dumbbell, but was much more about supplying the doughnuts and Jaffa cakes for the ‘apres gym’ and his love of technology and gadgetry which culminated in having a stair lift installed……and so it goes on…you get the picture.

But, all that said, John equally welcomed the chance to take baby steps to help his wellbeing – visiting Elizabeth Campling – the Registered Dietician and employing his love of good food and cooking as a necessary part of a balanced diet. And, latterly, after he was introduced to Glinys (John was also diabetic) and they were getting on famously plotting small improvements to his levels of activity – yes, moving a bit, his lifestyle.

Although a stoic who never complained, John had many health issues and regularly joked about “having to get the life policies out”. Even with his latest battle with mouth cancer he believed he had come through and on the day of his death was talking animatedly about his plans for the future – so he didn’t expect to die. But, die he did, alone in the middle of the night – as the ambulance crew that he managed to call couldn’t save him. The subsequent post mortem revealed that his death was caused by a thrombosis.

Is all this too much information? May be – or may be not…but giving up comfortable – but not necessarily helpful, patterns of behaviour is a step too far for many and certainly not unique to John.

We all miss John’s cheery, stoic, generous-spirited presence – and it has left a huge unnecessary hole. Read the celebratory thoughts on John’s life from his lifelong friend and soulmate – Colette, from Bob – they were great and irreverent friends and Glinys too – who also talks about those patterns.