Mr. Richard Ganly Ely

As a waitress, I've known Richard off and on throughout the last ten or so years. He has always been one of my favorite customers. He always had a ready smile, those blue eyes that exuded a zest for life, and a positive attitude, even when it was evident he was experiencing pain. He took the time to share with me little tidbits of his life. Generally they were about his wife, or the mourning of the death of a

As a waitress, I've known Richard off and on throughout the last ten or so years. He has always been one of my favorite customers. He always had a ready smile, those blue eyes that exuded a zest for life, and a positive attitude, even when it was evident he was experiencing pain. He took the time to share with me little tidbits of his life. Generally they were about his wife, or the mourning of the death of a beloved dog. He felt they shouldn't replace the dog at their age, but his wife prevailed on that one!
I suppose what impressed me the most was what a down-to-earth person he was. He, at all times, treated me as an equal despite the fact that clearly he had accomplished so much more and contributed more to this world than had I. The day he told me of his diagnosis, I thought I had put on a pretty good "game face", despite what I felt inside. Apparently not, because he looked me directly in the eyes, and softly consoled me with the words, "It's alright..." So kind.

May Almighty God of Tender Mercies Comfort the Family (2Co.1:3,4),
When the last enemy strikes grief may be great And make The heart yearn for Comfort, Almighty God gives HOPE And PROMISE At (JOHN 5:28, ACTS 24:15 And REVELATION 21:4) Almighty God HOPE And PROMISE SOON TO BE ATTAIN,
May these thoughts be of some Comfort.
gingerrobinson@bellsouth.net

In the early years after the second world war the Reynolds family (two parents and three girls), lived in London but spent the holidays in an unheated and ramshackle house in Norfolk, where the icy east wind blew in from the North Sea. It was to this seemingly inhospitable environment that Richard, emotionally even then a Californian, came in 1946.
Richard had survived his early childhood amazingly well, considering his American mother died when he was eight, while his English

In the early years after the second world war the Reynolds family (two parents and three girls), lived in London but spent the holidays in an unheated and ramshackle house in Norfolk, where the icy east wind blew in from the North Sea. It was to this seemingly inhospitable environment that Richard, emotionally even then a Californian, came in 1946.
Richard had survived his early childhood amazingly well, considering his American mother died when he was eight, while his English father was interned in Japan during WW2. On release Richard’s father married the widow of our mother’s brother, who had settled in British Columbia with her three daughters. There Richard joined them. Uncle Tom, as we came to call him, cared a lot about Richard, but as they were virtual strangers to each other, his care took the form of worry about how Richard would turn out rather than taking him as he was and enjoying his company. As a rather traditional Englishman, he decided that Richard should have a traditional English boarding-school education. In those days of course there were no cheap and easy transatlantic flights, which meant that Richard must spend his school holidays in England. Our mother, for whom Richard became the son she always wanted, was glad to offer him a home for the holidays, and to act in loco parentis.
So Richard joined the family. It must have seemed daunting to him at first, but his sheer friendliness and willingness to fit in overcame all obstacles, which included winning over our rather severe father. He entered completely into the spirit of our Spartan existence, but it must have been tough. One problem was that Richard was growing fast and food was in short supply: Life in Britain in the 1940s, an age of rationing and austerity, was very different from California or Canada. We kept chickens and grew vegetables, both of which helped to feed us all, so when there were leftovers, on which Richard would look with longing, our mother’s priority seemed to be first consider the chickens, then the compost heap and if neither fitted, Richard was the third option.
Transatlantic communication between Uncle Tom and Richard did not flow easily, and our mother would write regularly to Uncle Tom to try to bridge the gap. She had quite a job reconciling Richard’s teenage desire to keep up with friends and fashions with what his father’s pension could afford. At that time Uncle Tom and Aunt Margaret lived in Byng Street in Victoria and when in London we lived in an apartment block called Hanover House. Our mother, who was not a great speller, wrote to Bynge Street, so Uncle Tom threatened to reply to Hangover House.
It was our delight that when Richard left school he went first to Lausanne to study hotel management, so he remained in our part of the world. Then even after he had settled in California, he would still reappear as if by magic to visit us. To Vickie’s and Felicity’s children a visit from Richard was a high point, full of excitement and fun. On one visit Richard told our mother about Paulette; she encouraged him to call her and propose, which he did there and then. It was great to know that Richard was settling down in a happy home of his own. Paulette came over with Richard on several occasions when the dogs could be left, and we both at different times visited them in their beautiful house in San Diego. To every Reynolds family event, sadly in later years mostly funerals, Richard would turn up until, alas, his own ill-health made globe-trotting impossible.
When on 13 February Richard told us of his diagnosis we immediately decided that we would come and see him. We all looked forward to some happy reminiscences and laughter, and we were so sad that we were unable to come soon enough. Though in recent years we have met rarely, he leaves a gap in our lives.

Richard was the best neighbor! Always helpful and super fun. His sense of style and humor that made him delightfully enjoyable. He made us all laugh. A week before he left this world, we visited him and he told me to "Stand up straight" and to continue sending him political emails. My only regret for him is he didn't get to see Obama out of office. He was a loving caring man and we will really miss him.

Richard was always fun to be with because of that sparkle in his eye and that mischievous grin. I always enjoyed our conversations. No matter what the topic, serious or frivolous, he had interesting perspective. I am going to miss him.

I am so sorry for the passing of Richard, he will be missed. Always enjoyed his stories at coffee. Rest in peace my friend.