We want to pay our last respects, with love and gratitude, to a truly special man, a gentleman and a friend, Dr John White, "Papa".

His sudden passing, such a great shock, bringing in its wake much grief and sorrow, felt to be 'before his time'; yet he had 'lived his time', a long life, a full and good life; intellectually motivated yet with the gift of having endless time for his beloved grandchildren, deploying his engineering skills to build them the most wonderful structures that would stretch their imaginations and bring them endless delight. Many years ago now, we were embraced into the family of John and Jan with the same friendship, incredible hospitality and inclusivity that, we quickly learned, they showed to all around them in their community in Swanmore. Not only us, but our respective families, all generations, were included, without question, in the most memorable occasions.

To them both, we owe immense and lasting gratitude. I think we must speak for many.

Their legacy will linger on and Papa will be so much missed, in the same way that Grandma Jan "Grandma", is missed. Our prayers are that the memories will bring joy as they surface in the months and years ahead.

To Katie, Gracie and Bill, to Emma, John, Florence, Charlotte and Esther and to their close family friends, we offer our dearest love and very deepest condolences, praying for your strengthened peace of mind, from Marny, Jon (Tommo) and Georgia.

In doing so, we are joined by Robbie and Jill, who also recall those happy days.

My own personal memory is of a day when Papa picked me up at Winchester Rail Station, to take me to their home, by then in the heart of Swanmore, as the family would converge there. With him was our grandson, young Bill. All the way back, Bill would talk excitedly, pausing for breath only long enough to begin with a new theme. Since John had been so kind as to give up his time to collect me, I would venture to ask him how he was, and to introduce a little conversation between us: to no avail. Every single time, Bill would burst in with his new subject and all attempts at conversation were abandoned. The chuckle John gave, every time, as we abandoned the time to our beloved grandson's news, has made me laugh often, over the years. On arrival, Grandma, Grace and other family members would be there to greet us, until all had returned: a familiar and loved gathering for them.

Very happy times indeed. Thank you both so very much.

Thank you, John. I was looking forward to seeing you this year - hopefully another wonderful Netball Memory Day.

With love and gratitude.