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John Maltby.

1947 - 2014

Started: 23 Nov 2015
Created by: Claire Hosking (nee Maltby)

On 25th November this year it will be a year since Dad lost his brave and inspirational fight with cancer, almost a year after he was diagnosed with the cruel and terrible disease. Not a day passes without thinking of Dad and although we all have the most fabulous memories, he isn’t here anymore, a huge hole has been left in many lives and we miss him SO much. I have wanted to create this tribute page ever since we lost Dad, but it just hasn’t felt like the right time. It does now and I hope my family & I will all take some comfort and much pride in coming together to raise money in memory of Dad for St Leonards which is the most amazing and special place I have ever known and been to, that I didn’t want to be at. This is a tribute to John, created by his daughter Claire, and she hopes it helps others to know about how much St Leonard’s has helped her family cope with this this heart-breaking experience. Like many men of a similar age Dad didn’t like going to the Doctors, didn’t like to make a fuss about feeling ill and was stubborn about being independent. So allowing others to look after him, and eventually for cancer take him, was not something Dad did without reluctance and resistance. He amazed us all with his determination to keep going and proved to have the constitution of an ox mixed with the most wonderful sense of humour – even on the very last day he was trying to get himself out of bed, eating maltesers while listening to Neil Diamond and still winding everyone up. The feeling of peace hits you as you enter St Leonards and although we really didn’t want to be there, I felt a huge sense of relief once Dad was there and I think he did too. Over almost 4 weeks the wonderful carers and staff at the hospice came to know Dad and his many visitors well, we felt at home, cared for, safe and surrounded by people who made such a difference. We will all forever be grateful for the dignity, comfort and peace they enabled Dad to have at this unbearably difficult time. A motto I like to live by, inspired by Dad is ‘work hard – play harder !’ Dad had a fabulous appetite for life and loved nothing more than being surrounded by family & friends. Dad loved being outdoors and took up golf almost 30 years ago, it was a hobby that frustrated him almost as much as he loved it and in the days at St Leonards, Dad regularly said he might go play a round of golf tomorrow if he felt better. Our eldest daughter Jess has inherited this passion for golf and it is very special for us all that Dad’s last round of golf was with Jess – she continues to love the sport and is certain that Grandads electric golf trolley is bringing her lots of good luck ! Our youngest daughter Charlotte is a born entertainer and sings/dances/talks from the minute she wakes up til going to bed – Dad was always in awe of her confidence and ability to perform. Becoming a parent myself made my relationship with Dad even more special and knowing how proud Dad was of his grandchildren and how much he loved them has meant that continuing to watch them grow up and do amazing things, without being able to share it with him anymore, is one of the things which makes me saddest. However, I am certain he is always watching over us and I know without doubt that he will be bursting with pride. We will all remember some classic sayings Dad used:- ‘ Always a Pleasure, Never a chore’, ‘If you worry too much about tomorrow, you wont enjoy today or ‘ onwards and upwards’. In other words live life to the full and that was something Dad did and we all do, even more than ever, in his memory. Nothing can bring Dad back, but we are all thankful for the life he had, for the massive difference he made and for all the memories we are left with. I love you Dad x

Make a donation to this tribute.

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Amount Raised.

£5,360.00

Donations.

£500.00

Rim Cancer Charities Fund

Donation by Richard Maltby on 11/12/2023

£25.00 £6.25 Gift Aid

Donation by Christine Maltby on 01/11/2023

£220.00 £55.00 Gift Aid

Donations from 2016 to 2022

Donation by Christine Maltby on 21/11/2022

£100.00 £25.00 Gift Aid

Donation by Miss Charlotte Hosking on 15/08/2021

£25.00 £6.25 Gift Aid

Donation by Tim Hosking on 01/12/2020

£250.00

Rim Cancer Charities Fund<br />

Donation by Richard Maltby on 10/12/2019

£500.00

from Maltby & Hoskins families

Donation by Richard Maltby on 10/12/2018

£500.00

Rim Cancer Charities Fund<br />

Donation by Richard Maltby on 29/11/2016

£20.00

Donation by Kate Groombridge on 01/12/2015

£10.00

Tribute for Dad, John Maltby<br />

Donation by Richard Maltby on 28/11/2015

£20.00 £5.00 Gift Aid

Donation by Sarah Maltby on 28/11/2015

£20.00

Donation by Coleen Maltby on 27/11/2015

£1,000.00

Rim Cancer Charities Fund<br />

Donation by Richard Maltby on 27/11/2015

£800.00 £200.00 Gift Aid

In memory of my husband, John Neil Maltby<br /> Many thanks to all staff at SLH who looked after John & were so caring.<br /> No praise can be high enough, they were like true friends to all my family.

Donation by Christine Maltby on 30/01/2015

£25.00 £6.25 Gift Aid

Donation by Christine Maltby on 27/11/2014

£500.00

Proceeds from Raffle at Masquarade Ball in memory of John Maltby<br />

Donation by Claire Hosking on 27/11/217

£845.00 £211.25 Gift Aid

Donations from November 2014 to November 2017<br /> John Maltby - The bravest most determined man ever! We love you very much x<br />

Donation by Claire Hosking on 27/11/217