Said goodbye to my old Senior Scout Master yesterday. A family friend of over 50 years. John Hartwell or "Harti" was a big hearted man in a broken body.
He had struggled as a young boy with osteomyelitis, had all manner of health issues in his 73 years finally succumbing to leukemia after a lengthy battle.
The Scouting and Masonic fraternity gave him a good send off .
As one of his old senior scout and Gang Show family I was honoured to deliver his eulogy written by his son Allen.
John would have loved that so many had turned out to say goodbye to this stubborn, big hearted battler.
We learned many life lessons in our late teens from "Harti".
Some had nothing to do with pitching tents or tying knots .
Like you never put a drip tray on the floor under the tap of a keg.
That message is of great importance and relevant for inclusion in the RSPCA "How to Operate a Dog" manual.
We learned that some hounds have a liking for the "hops". And that man's best friend , even on four legs can also get legless.
And this was in the day's when "Dog Bolter" was merely an expression and not a libation.
Thanks "Harti".
You gave plenty to many in your time.
I think this is an Aurelius quote:
Thou hast embarked, thou hast made the voyage, thou art come to shore; get out.
Some voyages are quicker than others.
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