Mr Vincent Vince Gregory Ford

It is with great sadness that I stand in front of you today to remember the life of my younger brother Vincent. Losing someone you love is never easy, but when their life is taken away at such a young age it is that much more difficult. I hope that these words will help alleviate some of the grief you are all feeling today.

Vincent lived his life like he drove his car – flat out! He did not understand the concept of “take it easy” – even when he was on holiday you could tell he was impatient to get back to his work. To some extent, this shaped many of his relationships’ with family and friends – sometimes adversely but never dishonestly. In large part he got this drive and focus from his father Ron. Ron and Vincent were very much alike, both in their work-driven focus and their appearance. Also as a consequence, he was not very mindful of his health – the phrase “work hard and play hard” comes to mind. This was a factor in his early demise.

His father was his role model for most of his life and he had Dad’s uncompromising tenacity when it came to his work. And he had definite opinions about most things – and I do mean definite! It was the Ford way or it was the wrong way!! Now it is difficult to see how two people with this sort of attitude could work together – because both Fords could not be right!. It led to frequent arguments and even, on occasion, periods of not talking to each other! But he loved his Mum and Dad and always relented in the end.

Vincent was a natural engineer from an early age. He grew up with a father and brothers who loved to tinker with cars and other mechanical or electrical equipment. Many is the time that he would be there by your side wanting to help strip down an engine or fix some other part of the car – even at a very young age. This formed his lifelong love of things mechanical and, to a lesser extent, electrical. He could look at a problem, think of a solution draw up the device or tool needed for the solution, program the machines and deliver the product that solved the problem. And he loved doing it! It was always a challenge to his ingenuity.

The deaths of his father in 2004 and, four years later, his closest brother, Martyn, affected Vincent more than he would admit – to others and himself. While Dad was his role model, Martyn was his sidekick. They were closest growing up and often would regale us at family meetings with tales of the mischief that they got up to when they were teenagers. His brother was also a brilliant natural engineer, but with more of an electrical bent.

After Martyn died, Vincent together with his older brother Roland provided care and support for Mum and we started to talk more frequently – albeit from the other side of the world! It is over the last 5-6 years that I have grown closer to my brother. And while I cannot say that I really knew him completely, the brotherly bond between us was never stronger.

It was during this period that his illness started to become apparent. He would not talk about the details very much and he always put on a brave front – but you could tell that he was not well and battling with pain. His visits to the hospital became more frequent and the stays longer. Then early in 2013 he seemed to be in remission – he started to put on weight, sounded stronger and was more optimistic – even more than he normally was! It was at that time that we planned a holiday in Hawaii.

For me, that one week we spent together in Hawaii last September was the way I will always remember Vincent. The house we rented was perfect for the six of us – on the side of the volcano looking over the Kona coastline, a pool, pool table, plenty of space and beautiful gardens. And the weather was perfect. He did seem to relax – just a little! And he had a smile on his face for almost the whole time we were there. We hadn’t enjoyed each other’s company like that since a camping trip in England back in 1975.

He got such a blast from that holiday that we started to plan another holiday in Australia this August. But it wasn’t to be. His illness took hold again earlier this year and this time there was no remission. He passed away in the hospital on Tuesday 8 April just before 1.00pm.

I will miss my brother more than words can say. He may be gone but his memory will live on in our hearts forever.