Les(lie) Adams 
March 12th 1948 to December 17th 2005, 
Aged: 57
From: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Died 17th December 2005, in Newcastle Marie Curie Hospice - with Val, & Tam by his side.
Lived in Fenham for past 25 years
Husband, father, son, brother to many and uncle to many more.

Spent his childhood as the youngest in a house of (approx)15, in the Denton Burn area of Newcastle. Worked as a Civil Servant with the DTI since the age of 16, working in London, Bournemouth and Newcastle. He was at Stanegate House in the Bigg Market and then Wellbar House in Gallowgate, prior to being medically retired.

Dad was a quiet, reserved and proud man, who never liked to show his true feelings in any situation. He loved a drink with his pals, watching cricket, bowls, and also played darts when he was younger- his second homes were Benwell Hill Cricket Club, and Denton Burn Bowls Green, Fluid, The Bacchus, The Old George, The Strawberry and a few other haunts of which (as his daughter) I wasn't privvy to!

If he could help anyone out - then he would do his utmost to do so. Often to the detriment of his own family, home and self. It amused me somewhat upon his passing, to find his paperwork in an utter mess, and having to wade through reams of the stuff to get things sorted, when he himself had helped many bereaved to settle affairs. But, that was dad all over. I also found he had a pile of Alan Titchmarsh's garden tips - despite his own garden being a tip!!!

Dad was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in late 2002, after surviving 2 heart attacks in previous years. He did suffer pain, and it did get him down a lot, but he never gave in to it, until the very very end. He carried on enjoying his life, and doing things he hadn't done before, also mending bonds with people, as he knew his time was limited. But, he did know when he had too much, and just needed to be free of the pain. He always played the BAH HUMBUG about Christmas - and it seemes timely this was the time he went. I last saw him as his 'perky' self on December 6th, and he appeared to be quite well, but was having problems with the medication and pain relief. I had a feeling deep in my heart it would be the last time I saw him as 'my dad'. I sat in the car in tears with my mom, nanna and aunty as I left, as I just knew. I had the dreaded call 10 days later to get to Newcastle as quick as I could. 

I arrived at the hospice at 3.30pm, and couldnt believe how quickly he had deteriorated. I didnt think he would know I was even there, but he knew, as the last thing he said, was to my partner. He said "Thankyou for bringing her". We stayed with him, but all knew he was giving in. He had fought enough and it wasnt fair to expect him to fight anymore. He died at 6.30pm with my mom, myself and my partner at his side. He had cuts all over his upper lip from where he tried to shave himself, but had been to weak to do it properly. But he wouldn't have had it any other way. 

Unknown to most people, was the fact the cancer had spread throughout his body, into secondary cancer of the lymph nodes and eventually his bones. Afterwards people stopped and asked mom how dad was, not believing he had died. It was a shock he did go downhill so quickly, but it was him deciding enough was enough, and he had the blessing of his mom, his wife and me to let go.

Dads funeral was a tremendous shock and comfort to both myself and my family. We never realised just how popular he truly was until the hearse drove into the grounds of the crematorium. We saw this great crowd of people at the side, and thought it was a multitude of 'other' peoples congregation. That was until we started recognising the faces in the crowd. It was then we realised ALL of those people were here for dad. We sat in the car for ages waiting for the great crowd to enter the chapel. I don't recall just who was there, but I know he was represented from near and far. It still to this day amazes me how many people came out on a dark, cold and dreary day before Christmas Eve - and it amused us all in the car, that he would have been watching over us saying "I don't want the fuss man!"

Les Adams - a good man - it just took me a while to realise it - but luckily it wasn't too late!!

********** RIP DAD - UNTIL I SEE YOU AGAIN **********

You can shed tears that he is gone, 
Or you can smile because he lived, 
You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back, 
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left. 

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him 
Or you can be full of the love that you shared, 
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, 
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. 

You can remember him and only that he is gone 
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on, 
You can cry and close your mind be empty and turn your 
back, 
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, 
love and go on. 
David Harkins 

******************************