I often said to people it’s not like going to work, it’s more of a social thing. People envied me for being ‘at work’ chatting, eating chocolate, sweets and delicious cake and watching TV. I used to say to people, ‘Mr Deane can’t do anything, but he can talk….a lot’!!
Over my 14 years of looking after him I’ve gained lots of knowledge and advice from him on computers, relationships, finances, anything really that I was worried about. That was Mick, he would always help in any way he could.
Mick and Rosemarie weren’t employers, it was much more than that, they helped me through some good and bad times…thankyou.
Professional people left 102 Roman Way as friends, not as people who had made an appointment to see them,there was always a warm welcome. And they left with a story and after having tea and cake!
One of the things Mick and I had in common was beer, wine and spirits, and not just drinking it. He had a wholesale business and I had been a public house manager. We often talked about cellars and glasses. Our wine at the pub had the original labels on the bottles, not like some of Micks.
One day, not long ago I looked after Mick during the day. For dessert he asked for some ice-cream, but wanted it put in his lemonade. I asked him if Rosemarie lets him have it this way and he said yes, but she won’t let me drink it with a straw. Rosemarie later said, I’ve told him he’s not 8!
There are so many memories, you in bed, Rosemarie sitting behind you shaking her head because you had said something inappropriate and trying to look innocent.
It seems that whatever people have said to me or music I’ve heard since that tragic day there has been a connection to you, it’s made me smile as well as sad. So I know you will always stay in my thoughts.
Thank you Mick for the advice, knowledge and memories you gave me. I’m going to miss the stories that began ‘Stop me if you’ve heard this before’
