The obituary notice of Ian Paul LEATHAM

Happy Christmas E. Wish you were here with me but, that can't be. We'll raise a glass or two, to remember and think of you. We talk about you every day, miss you more than words can say. But again, Have a very Happy Christmas Day. Love to Dear Dad as well. Have a party up there. Love you, Miss you both. All our love Always, You are both forever in our hearts. Never ever forgotten. Thinking of Dear Sue, Xantha and Ben. Take Care, "Look after each other."

Hello Ian, It is Christmas morning, and I am thinking of you. It is a lovely day, all Christmassy. I wish you were here with us but I know you are happy in heaven with the Lord and all your relatives. I suppose you are with Dad, give him my love. He loved Christmas. Sue and the children are being well looked after in HK. I had some presents from them yesterday. Well love, all the very best. Love from us all. I am at Sylvia's for Christmas and Claire is here. God Bless Ian. Love you - Mum x x x x

Happy Christmas E. Wish you were here with me but, that can't be. We'll raise a glass or two to remember and think of you. We talk about you every day. Miss you more than words can say. But again, Have a very Happy Christmas Day. Love to Dear Dad as well, have a party up there! Love you, Miss you both. All our love Always, you are both forever in our hearts. Never ever forgotten. Thinking of you Dear Sue, Xantha and Ben. Take Care, "Look after each other."

Jingle bells, cookie smells, Goodies on the tree, The sights and sounds of Christmas Are everywhere to see. So be not sad, or wish for one Who is no longer here, If you but pause and think awhile You ll find them very near. For none is ever so far away Our thoughts can t set them free To speed their way cross miles or time To join us here in memory. I don t believe that anyone Is ever truly gone, For all it takes is just one thought, To bring their memory home. So friend, if you ve ever wondered What if she or he were here, All needs to be done is think of them, And suddenly, they re near. So Christmas then, or Christmas now, Even Christmas not yet here, Your thoughts and memories have the power to bring your loved ones near. Miss you E.

As we approach the end of this year, we can only reflect on what an awful year it was. E's loss had an immense effect on us all and the pain is still raw. Personally, I still find it difficult to comprehend. This awful disease took a wonderful person away from us all. We miss E dearly and always will. We now have a permanent memorial to him in Bromborough with dad, but sorry about the red flowers E! Rest in peace little bro'. Roy x

Long time no see, but always remembered with sweet affection, your friendship and companionship of University days, your caring disposition, your fun-to-be-with, your laugh..... So happy to see your loving family protrayed here, and know you had a life which meant something. May you rest in peace, fond memories, Al.

Ian was one of those rare people who once you have met them light up the rest of your life. We only knew each other during a carefree and exciting period before career and family responsibilities separated us, but I will always have very fond memories of a man who for a short period in my life became a really great friend. It was he who on my first night in Gutersloh got me so drunk I missed the important appointment with my new headmaster (Ken Jones) the following morning. It was he I shared my first skiing lesson with. I shall never forget how we collapsed with hysterical laughter (and exhaustion!) as we waddled sideways up a Sauerland nursery slope only to slide 50 meters down to the bottom to start all over again. What a sense of avhievement we shared. It was he I spent endless hours on the croquet green with behind the officers' mess at Mansergh Barracks supping down a Pimms or three to aid concentration. And it was he who came on school trips with me to Paris and Cologne and who, when one of the pupils fell and broke her arm running to go on a fairground rige volunteered to stay behind with her in hospital and drive her home the following day so the rest of us could carry on and enjoy the trip. Typical of the man. Ian. It is very difficult to sum you up in just a few words. But for me you were in the very truest sense a real gentleman, a kind and generous soul, a born teacher, a good laugh, a great mate and a thoroughly decent bloke. Thanks for the memories. I will never forget you. Dave Baker

Ian, I 've passed my physics! Thank you for all the extra time that you've generously given to me for physics in my degree course, on top of your own teaching professsion in KGV. You've been a humble mentor and your time has definitely not been wasted.

we will miss Ian so much and our thoughts are with Sue Xantha and Ben Love from Lola Matt and Maddi

A really wonderful man with a great (and sometimes wicked) sense of humour. Such a great loss to everyone who knew him. Our hearts go out to his family. All our Love Sheila & Alan McQueen