Denis Lupton - Eulogy - That was our Dad
"We will miss your strength, your humour, and your love, always!"
28th August 2008
Generations of close friends, neighbours, colleagues, aquaintences and those who have been extremely privileged to have known and spoken to Denis Lupton, gathered and joined family members in St Michael and All Angels Church Lyneham to pay their final respects and condolences to a 'True Gent', who sadly passed away on 18th August 2008. Denis Lupton, a proud man with an infectious laugh, vivid sense of humour, would have known that life had to be taken to the full and appreciated a good laugh.

St Michael and All Angel's church was left with standing room only as the coffin, draped in a Union Flag and his No1 SD Hat earmarked nearly three decades of exemplary service to Queen and Country in the Royal Air Force, was carried in through the south door by pall bearers followed by close family and friends.

The interment was conducted by Reverend Jesse Holland who opened the poignant auspicious hour to welcome all the people who had gathered to pay their final respects and mark the occasion as a celebration of Denis Lupton's life.

During the service an emotional Eulogy was presented by Denis' daughters Jacky and Helen accompanied by their sisters Clare and Mandy, who embraced each other in support. Jacky opened the eulogy, firstly wiping an obituarical tear from her eye, gathered a breath and composure as she reflected the life and proud memories of her loving Dad:

"Our Dad was many things to many people. A father to us, a grandfather to 11 grandchildren, a devoted husband to our mum, a family member, colleague, co-worker and friend to others. He was known for many things, one thing that was consistent was his sense of humour. What ever he did he always had, and appreciated a good laugh. We are here today to celebrate his life and to remember what type of man he was."

Our dad was always in a hurry, and in keeping with this, was born in Hull under the kitchen table, during an air raid on August 14th 1944. He was one of 4 brothers. There are many infamous tales of him and friends getting into trouble, some of which he would share with us, no cabbage patch in an allotment was safe from a few fireworks and resulting coleslaw, but as he would say, everything was done in good fun back then and no one was ever hurt. Except of course when his mum and dad found out.

He met our mum at a dance in Cottingham. She asked him to dance, grabbed hold of him and never let go. Our dad was so devoted to my mum that from the day they met until he started basic training in the Air Force, they never spent a night apart. He would cycle to my mum in Little Weighton, 5 miles every night, or catch the bus. One Sunday night he'd promised his parents he would be home early due to work the next day, and his parents wanted to go to bed, but he missed the bus and didn't get home in time. He spent the night in the shed, but it didn't put him off, Rain, hail or sleet he would come to see our mum. They would never go to sleep on an argument. They would hug each other before bed and say I love you, I disagree with you, but love you anyway."

Our dad was a loving Father, and as much as it hurts us that he is no longer here, our pain is nothing to the devastation my mum is feeling. They married when he was 19 and mum was 18. They grew up together. They were however only human, and had many fights over their 44 years of marriage. I remember one argument where my mum threw a bowl of porridge at my dad from the top of the stairs, it missed my dad, by this point he was used to ducking, and with the resulting mess I don't remember her doing it again. With everything they went through as a couple, with everything they went through as a family, all the hard times when money was tight with 4 children, especially in the early days in the Air Force all those years ago, they grew up and they grew together, relying on each other. They complimented each other in a way many people never get to experience, and I feel grateful to have their example of what a good marriage should be like. Something to aspire to.

Our dad loved his grand kids and talked about them all the time, worried about them when things were wrong, and celebrated with them when things were right. He was very proud of their accomplishments and achievements, and was looking forward to seeing them grow-up.

Chantelle and Holly looked upon their granddad as quite the trickster, they still
don't know where the coin in the ear comes from and had their noses removed many a time. Lauren, Ellie and Olivia still remember laughing so hard they hurt after the tickling they used to get and they big bear hugs they received when saying hello and goodbye each visit."

Jacky stepped aside and her sister Helen continued the affectionate oration:

"We have received many, many cards flowers and letters of condolences over the last few days. Many from family and friends which we appreciate immensely, and many from people he worked with, now and year's ago. There were two things that were common in most of them, one, that he was a gentleman and the other that he was always smiling. On his birthday 4 days before he died most of the family was with him in his hospital room, and he was singing with a high pitched voice, from a helium balloon, "I'm forever blowing bubbles" and offering champagne. That was our dad.

He joined the Air Force in 1970, served for 29 years and achieved the rank of Flight Sergeant. His second love next to us (sometimes his first) was the Air Force, Queen and Country. He received two medals, one for the Falklands and the other for Good Conduct. Both of which he was embarrassed about, he didn't like to made of fuss of that way. He would have said not to make a fuss about him today too.

As most of you know, dad was due to retire next year and had been working for Babcock's for the last 9 years. He enjoyed working there, and had fun with the people he worked with. Even though the pain in his hip was a constant annoyance, he still had a laugh.

Do not think for a minute that we think our dad was perfect, we know he was not. He made mistakes at times, as we all do, although he would very rarely admit it. We would get into many heated discussions about politics and religion, and no matter what argument was used, he would never be swayed in his opinion. If he was ever proved wrong, it was because the question had been wrongly phrased. Knowing this, it was impossible not to love him. Nothing felt better then a hug from our dad if things weren't going well, or a word of support or encouragement, knowing that whatever happened he always had your very best interest at heart

It is impossible to express how greatly he will be missed, how hard it has become to even take a breath, to get up and carry on. The days and nights seem endless and although we have been comforted by stories of his escapades, none of us know quite what to do, or how to carry on with out him.

Dad we will miss your strength, your humour, and your love, always." As she stood still in a final reflecting moment, looked up to the people family and friends who equally were wiping tear filled eyes away and the hearing repeated sniffs in the church, with a heartfelt smile, emotionally said "Thank You"

Denis was carried from the church followed by his devoted wife Ann and family. As they walked slowing towards the hearse parked in the main road, friends gathered outside the church, a fitting tribute was then made by the personnel of RAF Lyneham. A retiring Hercules XV212, made a low-level fly past from the station over the tower and passing over the hearse. This ageing aircraft was one of Denis' first aircraft he worked on in his early service days at Lyneham in the 1980's, it was prepared for a rare and significant tribute flight.

Royal Air Force Lyneham Station Commander Group Captain Mike Neville, airmen and airwomen currently serving, route lined the main street outside the church accompanied by former and current work colleagues. The summer sun finally broke through the grey August sky, glistening on the many banks of service medals worn by the service personnel, the cortege began the final journey to Swindon Crematorium where a private committal was made.

The many friends gathered in the Sergeants' Mess of Royal Air Force Lyneham while the poignant family service was being carried out, all reflecting, chatting and passing memories of the life of Denis Lupton. The Lupton family joined the wake and as a sign of gratitude, the Station Commander asked everyone, to share with the thoughts for Ann and the family, passing on sincere condolences and marking the large turnout as a sign of Denis' true popularity and the devotion to the one's he worked and shared his time with. He then welcomed the family to continue their contact with the station.

Donations in the memory of Denis Lupton were made to St Michael's and All Angels Church Fund.

The overwhelming echoes of the many tributes and plaudits made about the times and life of Denis was his cheerful nature, smiling and sense of fun in life. We will sorely miss a true character and a fine gentleman. Thank you for those memories, long will they will remain in our hearts, forever.

Special Thanks to:
Ann Lupton together with daughters Jacky and Helen,
The RAF Lyneham Photographic Section and
Andy Humm