Frank HETHERINGTON

Dear Uncle Frank, there is nothing I can add to what my siblings and cousins have already said. Whenever we knew you were coming to visit, or we were making the trip down to Birmingham to visit you, we were always delighted and thrilled. Your sense of fun and the time you took to play with us and make us laugh at your daft jokes was a gift. One which, as kids, we didn't weight out or evaluate. We just got stuck in and enjoyed it.
A lovely man and we'll miss you.
My deepest condolences to Anne and Mark at your loss.

Dear Frank, you were... are, without doubt the gentlest and kindest person I have ever known. Your natural affinity with your 'fellow travelers' was always generous, big-hearted and honest. You never spoke to us as children but as human beings, and you treated all our childish chatter seriously; as a result we all felt valued and special whenever you visited, it was like things grew brighter. I will always remember your naughtiness and sense of harmless mischief, that tickled my childish imagination, and lightened many serious discussions in later years. As has been said, it is your wink and smile I will remember. Enjoy your well earned rest and undoubted welcome to a better place.

Dear Frank, my sisters and brothers and cousins have said so eloquently all that you meant to us as our favourite uncle. Some of my best memories are from the times Claire and I spent with you in Birmingham in our early teens, the wonderful excursions we went on together. The nonsense language you invented, the day it began to rain so you urged us to run for cover so the umbrella wouldn't get wet... Your playful joy was the highlight of those holidays. Rest in peace, dear soul.

My dear Uncle Frank. I was six years old when I first remember meeting you. That was the time Mum brought all four of us kids over to England to meet our English relatives. We stayed for four months that summer of 1963 and I especially remember how much fun you were to play with. You'd entertain us with your version of fairy tales at bedtime, which were somehow more funny than the originals, and you'd always play with us, taking us to parks and on outings. As an adult myself, I now realize how extraordinary that was! When visiting the Hetherington cousins we'd all talk about how much fun you were...truly, you were our favourite grown up!! To this day I can still sing a song you made up for us; 'There once was a horse and his mname was Bill and he lived on a house on top of a hill, with Alouesius, Jehosephat and Fedelbaum!' I thought they were made up names! In all the years after when our paths would cross, I constantly remember your joy, humour, positivity and joi de vivre! You were always fun to be around. I treasure my last visit with you when Emma and I flew out to visit you and the Irish cousins, Anne and Mark in Jan. 2012. They are a testament to you, wonderful people you can be proud of. Dear Uncle Frank, your long journey has ended in a well deserved rest. Give your sister, my Mum, a big hug from me!! Will love you forever. RIP oxoxo

Dear Uncle Frank, as my brothers and sisters have all said, news of your impending arrival always brought a flush of excitement and joy in our household when we were all kids. An excitement and joy that didn't dissipate as we became adults. Your easy manner, sense of fun and seemingly endless catalogue of jokes and stories would keep us entranced and entertained for hours on end. However, your most lasting legacy to me personally was that you took me to see my first ever football match between our beloved Liverpool and that lot from down the East Lancs Manchester United in the days of Bobby Charlton and George Best. It was a 1-1 draw and I couldn't have been a more excited 9 year old even though I had my sister Margie and cousin Collette in tow (2 girls who knew nothing about football). It was a major treat and introduced me to the world of all things Liverpool FC which still forms a large part of my life for which I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You even stuck around long enough to see us batter them at the weekend. I'm sad that you are gone but it is impossible to think of you without smiling as all my memories of you are good ones. Rest in Peace and may Anne and Mark be comforted by your love during this difficult time for them. Lots of Love John xxx

Dear Uncle Frank my fondest memories of you where when I was a child. I would always look foreword to your visits because you brought fun and joy with you. You would play the harmonica and sought of jig around at the same time. You where always able to connect to children in a simple and joyous way. I know your son and daughter love you dearly and it seems you brought the same fun and joy to your role as their dad, that you brought with you to my house when I was a child. I heard that recently you told someone that you had a still mind. What a wonderful thing to have in your last days here. This will be of great benefit to you as you continue your journey in eternity, a place where you will be able to smile on Anne and Mark and the rest of us. I will keep in my prayers Anne and Mark as they grieve the loss of their lovely dad. Travel well uncle Frank.
Love Phil

Frank I knew you as a one time comrade in arms of my father, in the Second Battalion Irish Guards, in World War-2. I thank you for the easy company that you were, telling tales the courageous and the awful events of the war in 1944. I am always in awe of the deeds of ordinary men like you who did extraordinary things so my generation could be free.
That aside, I saw you as a kind, family man who had a long and happy life.
Again I thank you for everything and I am proud to say... that Frank Hetherington was a friend of mine.
May you rest in peace.

My dearest Uncle Frank .... what a hero and legend he has always been in our household. Ever since the days when we were all young, and he would descend on us for Christmas and shake us out of our duty-bound stupor into festivals of song and laughter! What a great teller of tall tales, singer, riddle-setter, harmonica player, and get-down-on-the-floor-to-play-with-the-kids kind of Uncle he was. His arrival must have caused a certain degree of panic among the adults, but we kids could NEVER get enough. We loved him with everything we had. He never lost his capacity to laugh at himself and to view everyone in the most benevolent light. He has gone to his well deserved rest in heaven now. I can't be sad for him, I can only be so grateful that he left us so many happy memories.