Joe's Funeral Service (III)

David Costello.

Speech written for the Funeral of Joseph Foley.

It is a pity that on such a lovely day we should have to attend the funeral of a friend, but we should celebrate the life of Joe, who loved life and always had a ribald joke on hand for all occasions. I met him over Twenty years ago on my first day in London and I got to know and become a friend over the years.

He was very helpful to young people who were moving into this area and helped us find homes.

He was widely read and knowledgeable on a vast range of subjects. He was definitely "Phone a Friend" for many of us, if we got onto "Who wants to be a Millionaire?", but he was always ready to help anyone who needed it.

I had a few Christmas dinners with Joe and friends in Kinglake Street over the years and Joe's Christmas

Pudding was always worth waiting for. It was a Masterpiece of months in the making, liberally dosed with much alcohol.

Joe was also proud to serve his Country and never missed a Remembrance Day Sunday. He always enjoyed a vigorous political debate but, I suspect he sometimes took the opposite view to whoever he was arguing with for entertainment purposes, only.

He made many friends over the years but, we should all be especially grateful to Serge, Lenny, Ian and Rhi, who were very kind to him in his final illness. It just goes to show that community spirit is alive and well in Kinglake Street.

My favourite memories of Joe are at the first Live Aid day and Ian's Stag Day (Two memorable Parties) but, I'm sure you all have your own memories of Joe.

For me, it was an honour and a pleasure to have known Joe and I will certainly miss Him.

Rhianna's Speech

Good afternoon and thank you all for coming here today to pay our last respects to Joe.

I would particularly like to thank James and Christina for coming

all the way from Chester. I know Joe would have been very proud to know that his son was here.

I must also mention Serge and Lenny.

Not everyone here knows how much they did for Joe and what loyal friends they really were.

In happier and healthier times, Serge and Lenny were always Joe's

closest friends and, in illness, they showed us what true friendship is.

The last year of Joe's life was neither a happy nor healthy one.

But, I'm sure that the support that they gave Joe was of great help to him.

Also, I would like to mention Paul. I know Joe really looked

forward to your visits, every Sunday morning and I know that he

looked forward to your New Year's celebrations together even more.

Another of Joe's great friends was Lynnette. Joe loved his times

down in Brighton and considered them holidays. "There's nothing too

good for the working classes". As he would undoubtedly say.

And, to everyone else here, too many of us to name. I am sure that

Joe would feel extremely pleased to know we all came here, together,

to say our last goodbyes to him.

So, can we all please stand and wish Joe a fond farewell.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Joseph Christopher Foley.

Rest In Peace.

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