R.I.P. Grant…….

The Chief Mechanic passed away this week, desperately sad news indeed.

Where does one begin with reminiscence of this great man. He was my 2nd Dad, although he would never have presumed that. I’ve known him for most of my life and he was always there and now he won’t be. When my own Dad died a few years ago I know Grant missed him greatly, now I know how he felt. I’ve lost my best friend.

It seemed like no matter what you needed, he could help, if not directly then he knew someone who could. If you needed him, no matter when or what for, he was there.

We farewelled him on Friday in a fitting way, with laughter and tears, some jokes at his and our expense…….just how he would have wanted.

I’m blown away by the number of people who came to his funeral. He had touched many lives in an obviously positive way.

He was the Chief Mechanic because, after his family, his great love was cars and motor sport. I saw many cars pass through many garages that had been touched by his skillful and strong hands. The most carefully tended were his own childrens cars and particularly the motor sport ones. – The Torana, the Zed, the Escorts and the Commodore. – He was an electrician by trade (best electrician I’ve ever known, bar none and I’ve known a few) and a mechanical wizz. If it needed an ingenious solution he could nut it out and in rapid time. I recall the busted Zed brake line incident most fondly. No one else would have solved that one the way he did!

We’ll all miss him enormously, because he was always there, generous in spirit, time, help and love.

See ya mate.

Tired.