Funeral Ceremony for the late Kevan PeterThomson 10th July 1957 to 3rd January 2009 Kaimhill Crematorium Thursday 8th January, 2009 Celebrant : Alan Richardson, Humanist Society of Scotland Entrance music : “In My Life” by The Beatles Good morning, everyone.    We gather, a company of family and friends, to mark the sad passing of Kevan Peter Thomson, known as Kev, with affection and respect and also to celebrate his life.  His family would like to thank you all for your support here today and also for the cards, calls, visits and amazing kindness they have received in the past few days. Kev was not a churchgoer and so today’s farewell ceremony is non-religious and I am here as a celebrant from the Humanist Society of Scotland. There will be poetry and music in place of hymns and prayers and there will be a short period for personal memories and possibly prayer Kev loved his family and friends. He was a cheerful man who got the most out of life and he would not have wanted anyone to be grieving too much at his departure. But, however one might try not to be mournful, sorrow for the loss of a loved one is part of the human blueprint. Kev has been part of your life across the years and sadness is clear to see in the faces here. Should there be tears today, they have an honourable place; they are a testament to your affection. But Kev would probably want to say to you something like these lines of Joyce Grenfell’s ‘If I should go before the rest of you Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone Nor, when I am gone, speak in a Sunday voice. Be the usual selves that I have known. Weep if you must - parting is hell - But life goes on, so sing as well!’ Those closest to Kev have helped built up a picture of him - a lovely man who was a lot of fun to be with and who prized his family above everything. And here it is. Kev was born on July 10th 1957 and grew up in Huntly. His mother, Flora, had four children in all and Kev was very much the older brother. He was 9 years ahead of twins, Shirley and Willie, who always depended on him for support and advice. And even though he was 15 years ahead of Andrew, they became close later in life, often going out or a drink of lunch, on which occasions, Andrew’s homing-beacon kicked in much sooner than Kev’s! Willie is in America and unable to be here today, although he will be very much here in spirit. He sends these memories. “Kev has been in my thoughts more than usual right now. I realize just how many times he made a real difference in my life. Things he said and did when I was very young and growing up really did mold me. He was so much older and bigger and – wow – the things he could do! It made me wonder if I could ever ‘BE LIKE HIM’. I remember when I was about 7, we shared a bedroom and I was non-stop questions. The moon, the universe, space, Star Trek. He was more than happy to answer all that stuff and, boy, was he smart. ‘Now go to sleep, Wullie!’ When Kev took me to Black Dog’s band practice at Duncan Black’s house, he even let me sing on the mike. That didn’t work and I was relegated to listening. I remember too the good times when you let me sleep on your couch, shared your home with me, fed me and let me be part of your wee family. I’ll never forget the kindness and the smiles. I miss those days. My big brother lived up to everything I thought he was but I still wonder – wow – can I be like him?” While he was a pupil at the Gordon Schools Kev formed a band called ‘Black Dog’ with his friends, Jimmy and Foof. Jimmy was the singer while, Kev played his guitar, which he had named ‘Humphrey’. He wasn’t the guitarist because he couldn’t sing – in fact his family called him the Karaoke King later in life – but he was an even better guitar player. The band was well known all round the North East and Kev was referred to in a paper as one of the up and coming young guitarists in the area. He always looked back on these years as being some of the best of his life and he regularly talked about them. Music always played a major part in his life and later on he was enormously proud when he taught his son, Darren, how to play. On the other hand, he managed to scare his daughter, Ria, off by saying that when your fingers bled it was good because it hardened them up! However, the band was a short-lived phenomenon; it split up when Kev left school and went to Aberdeen at the age of 18 after taking his Highers. This was perhaps a shame because, after a while at the University, Kev decided he had had enough of books and dropped out. He was something of a party animal and perhaps he preferred having fun to studying. However, he now had to earn his keep and began with a spell as a coal mannie. After this came working at the labour exchange before he settling into jobs with oil related companies, Vet-co Grey and then Cameron’s, mainly as a buyer. He enjoyed the social aspect of being a buyer. Suppliers would treat him to days out and he got to play golf. Another important part of Kev’s youthful years was the biker gang. It was called somewhat alarmingly ‘the Barbarians’ but the members were not Hell’s Angels. The members did have tattoos and wore gang colours but not Kev. He declined to do either, so it was something of a miracle that they let him join. He insisted on doing his own thing, but somehow they let him get away with it. Over a 2 year period the bikers periodically went to Keith and took over the Fife Arms for the occasional weekends. And it was here, in the pub, that he met Sonia. Kevan and Sonia dated for 18 months and got married in l983. To the amazement of his friends, Kev immediately settled down and when Ria and Darren came along, he took fatherhood seriously. He always wanted the best for his children. He was a very easy going dad but was keen to teach them the value of money. They had to earn their pocket money by washing up and they had to get part-time jobs at 14. He was extremely proud of both his children. He loved being at Ria’s graduation and would have been looking forward to Darren’s. But Darren had already given him a great deal of pleasure by walking the West Highland Way to help with the fund-raising which was so dear to Kev’s heart. He loved children so it is not surprising that one of his two favourite charities was Cash for Kids. The other was Diabetes UK - equally understandable, since he had suffered from the condition from the age of 4 and always hoped a cure would be found. After this ceremony, if you would like to, you will be able to contribute to these excellent and worthwhile organisations in his memory. Kev and Ria were very alike in character with the same sense of humour and enjoyed duelling with each other, scoring points. Latterly he would look forward to these enjoyable battles any time Ria was known to be coming home from Orkney for a visit. Kev loved visiting Orkney. He very much enjoyed travelling, especially going round the Greek Islands. They moved to Kaimhill in l991 and have been very happy there since. It is a very warm community. Kev with his cheeky banter always made friends easily and now they had wonderful neighbours, including Wilma, Cecil and Wilma, Stuart and Hazel, Stan and Irene. Then there were the girls at the shop and Shaun. Kev loved them a lot and the feeling was returned. What sort of man was Kevan? He loved to socialise, drink and be merry. He was a good gardener but it was always the front garden, where he could stop and chat to ever passer by. He was conscientious about his work and never wanted to be late. He was not a great reader – he was too busy to sit down very often with a book - but he did watch T.V., especially science fiction, among which Star Trek was a favourite. Coronation Street was another priority and he was not best pleased if Ria rang when it was on. He got a great deal of pleasure from music. He liked all kinds - mainly from the 70s but he did keep up to date. He enjoyed going to pubs with live music. This was one reason why he so much enjoyed a wonderful holiday in Dublin, He became football mad, got himself a season ticket and loved a Saturday afternoon at Pittodrie, followed of course by a few bevvies with Wullie, Ross and Proser after the match. He liked to try new things and, having recently taken up golf, he had a few good outings, including the Open at St. Andrews Kev had a good life and it is hard to accept that his health was compromised at such an early age. He wasn’t quite 50 when he began to feel very tired. Cancer had invaded his life but he never lost hope; he just dealt with it. Even through chemotherapy, he carried on his working life as usual. He had a great rapport with his homecare nurse, Claire, who got him through tough times with great humour. Sonia, Darren and Ria owe her a very large debt of gratitude for her exceptional kindness and profession skills. His great colleagues from Camerons, where he had worked for 20 years – in particular Neil, Joanna, Maree and Steve – were amazing through all his treatments and Kev wanted to thank them for that. He loved the wicked and usually risqué banter they all had with each other. A huge thank you for the lovely e-mails from people Kev worked with over the years and the family would also like to offer their heartfelt thanks for invaluable support from Grieg and Natalie. Kev had his family always in his thoughts while he fought his illness. After the diagnosis he kept a photo book, knowing it would be of some comfort to them eventually. He passed away unexpectedly and quickly on January 3rd, with no fuss, as was his way, and they have indeed found the photo book sad but uplifting. He is foremost in our thoughts as we devote a time simply to remembering him. This short period is for each one here to remember Kev in their own way, in private thought or possibly in prayer. [music for reflection]”He Aint Heavy He's My Brother” By The Hollies.     We have been remembering the life of Kev Thomson, a much loved man who brought fun and affection to everyone in his life. He will be sadly missed.  Now it is time to take our formal farewell.  Please stand for the committal.   To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose on earth – a time to be born and a time to die. Death has come to Kev After a life too short but happy and well lived. His character and personality we commit to our memories. His love and friendship we commit to our hearts. His body we commit to the great cycle of nature. As the seasons turn, so may your hearts again know sunlight.  We must wish special courage in the difficult year ahead to Kev’s wife: Sonia, his children: Darren and Ria, his loving mother: Flora and his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews - not forgetting the members of the extended family. When someone dies, it is good to gather together to remember them. At the end of this ceremony you will be welcome at the Inn at the Park from 11.30 onwards. Before you part again, there will surely be tales told and memories shared. By holding on to your happy memories of Kev, he will not be separated from you as you return to your life and all that awaits you in it.  That is the message of these lines taken from a poem by Arnold Crompton, which Kev might have liked to say to you as you leave here today. When I have moved beyond you in the adventure of life, Gather in some pleasant place and there remember me With spoken words, old and new. Let a tear come, if you will, but let a smile come quickly, too, For I have loved the laughter of life. Do not linger too long with your solemnities. Go eat and talk, I shall be with you. And, when you can, Use your hands some bright day To make something beautiful Or to lift someone’s heavy load. I have followed the valleys And I have climbed the heights of life. Though you mention not my name, I shall be very close to you. Finally, this traditional Celtic blessing. The peace of the running water to you. The peace of the flowing air to you. The peace of the quiet earth to you. The peace of the shining stars to you And the love and care of each for one another.  Ending with “Free Bird” by Lynard Skynard.