The obituary notice of Dr Sidney DODD

O flowers they fade because they are moving swiftly;
a little torrent of life
Leaps up to the summit of the stem, gleams,
turns over round the bend
of the parabola of curved flight,
Sinks, and is gone, like a comet curving into the invisible.

O flowers they are all the time travelling
Like comets, and they come into our Ken
For a day, for two days, and withdraw, slowly vanish again.

And we must take them on the wing, let them go;
Embalmed glowers are not flowers, immortelle's are not flowers;
Flowers are just a motion, a swift motion, the a coloured gesture;
That is their loveliness, And that is love.
Author unknown.
With my love Sidney. Dor xx

Sidney, we knew each other for such a very short time in the scheme if things! However we shared so many interests and had much in common. We did not always agree but that was never a problem.
I get pleasure in the thought that you are now at peace and with your beloved Michelle after the problems of the last few months. I shall miss you and send you my love as always.

Dear Sydney, I was very impressed by your knowledge and great interest about China through our conversations in church. Your zest to learn was very admirable. I only wish that we could have more time. You are greatly missed.

Though I only met Sid in recent years, I was bowled over by his incredible intelligence, experience, keenness and alertness, and greatly appreciated his continued interest in his old Cadet Squadron, 131 (City of Newcastle), where he had been Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO) around 1958, when it was still under the Air Ministry! Even in hospital, I always left feeling supported and blessed by his liveliness, and will miss him greatly. All the Squadron wish him blue skies, and his family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers.
Malcolm (Squadron Padre, Deputy Wing Chaplain, RAF Air Cadets,
& Reader, St George's, Jesmond)

Dear Sidney. You are much missed. Your interesting life produced much knowledge, shared with others. Always a pleasure. Coffee mornings will never be the same. I have the fondest of memories of the time since we first met at St George’s Church in Jesmond. My condolences to Eveline and your family. Pauline Magnay.