Leonard John Goldsmith

Dad, Leonard John Goldsmith, was born on 23rd November 1943 at Jamestown Road, Kentish Town, London. He has an older sister Jean and a younger brother Steven. Lenny married Christine in 1965. They have four children, Karen the eldest born in 1967, a son, Keith in 1969. In 1970, Dad and Mum relocated to Merstham in Surrey. In 1973 and 1978, their other two daughters, Janet and Linda arrived to complete their family. Dad has twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren, with the third due in March 2021. During Dads work as a lorry driver/warehouse man, he took to the roads early in the mornings to make his deliveries around London and the surrounding counties. At 63, the haulage company he was employed by ceased trading and he decided to take early retirement. Around twelve years ago Dad was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Lung Disease. His consultants had averaged a five-year life expectancy. However, he amazed them and his doctors, and despite being unable to undergo clinical trials and medications, he proved them wrong! Dad took his illness in his stride, one day at a time, anything for a quiet life. During 2020, Dads health was beginning to decline. He was in hospital for his 77th birthday in November last year as he was unable to swallow. Despite, his best efforts to not be admitted, he remained in hospital for a few days undergoing procedures and tests. He was discharged from hospital to await the results, which arrived just before his and Mums 55th wedding anniversary. Dad was diagnosed with secondary bone cancer, with the primary site unknown. His prognosis was a shock to us all. Weeks. Dad slipped peacefully away on 8th January 2021. Janet remembers that Dad could never resist the opportunity to have a laugh with friends and loved ones, given half the chance. She will cherish her memories of Dad drinking his favourite tipple, listening to music and singing along word for word with family. He was his happiest when left to his own devices, whether it was building a shed, tending to the house and garden or fixing his cars of which he had many. Dad built a shed or two at the end of the garden, where he keeps bits and pieces which may be useful one day! Karen remembers, Dad always worried about his girls and did not go to sleep until he knew we were safely home. He was keen that I was able to look after and fend for myself. He made sure that I was able to change a tyre on my car and do basic car maintenance back in the days when cars had timing belts, plugs and points, and changing the brake blocks. Dad talked me through how to do things, like changing a light fitting over the phone, change a flat flush electrical socket in my kitchen, if I needed any help or advice dad was always there. Some weekends Dad would open the ‘Old Grouse’ and whatever else anyone fancied, play records and we’d have a dance to Status Quo, Queen, singing to Black Lace Agadoo, Hey Fatty Boom Boom and Grandads old 78’s.