Eulogy by Christopher and Sally
Created by Sally 8 years ago
PETER FRANCIS ROE
05.05.1925 – 14.01.2016
Our Dad Peter loved life, his family, his friends, his work. After 90 years…..where do we begin?
Dad was born on the family farm of BallyKelly near Roscrea, Ireland on May 5th 1925. Father William, Mother Maud, he was the youngest of three boys; Mervyn and Ken were his brothers. When he was 7 years old all three boys were sent to boarding school, first in Wexford, later in Waterford where he was then joined by his cousin Douglas who he had great affection for. He loved sport and played Rugby, Cricket, Hockey, Tennis, Table Tennis and Billiards. One of his biggest school memories he shared with us was spending 10 weeks in isolation in the sick bay after he developed diphtheria. A lonely time for him, but he pulled through.
Dad would tell us how during the school holidays he helped with chores on the farm. There were cattle, sheep, pigs, and chickens to be fed, plus cows to be milked by hand. He also helped with tilling the land, hay making and harvesting crops, all before modern farm machinery was available. He told us how he loved walking in the fields and climbing trees with his brothers, and enjoyed visiting his many cousins. In the summer holidays, his mother would take the boys by pony and trap for day trips into the Slieve Bloom Mountains nearby and they would accompany his father, who was also an auctioneer, to local fairs.
Dad recounted to us the depression of the 1930s in Ireland, the great poverty he saw at that time, and expressed how grateful his family were that they could grow their own vegetables, make their own butter, kill their own pigs and cure bacon, and have poultry and eggs to eat. Another of his early memories he shared was getting up at 2 am, helping to round up livestock, walk ten miles to market, tend to the animals whilst there, and walk home again with any that were not sold.
As a child, Dad told us he only ever wanted to work on the farm, but tradition back then meant the farm went to the oldest son. So at 17, his love of animals led him to entering Veterinary School at Trinity colleague, Dublin. When time allowed during his studies he loved to meet up with his cousins and go to the Zoo or the cinema. He also enjoyed playing cards and this passed away many a long winters night. He qualified as a vet in 1948 and secured an assistants post in Beccles with a fellow Irishman, JC Taylor. When he reached England his plan was to spend two years gaining experience before emigrating to New Zealand. However, on arrival at the veterinary practice, he was introduced to the 15 year old school girl, Barbara, who lived opposite and hasten to say, and thankfully for us, he never got any further than London Road in the town.
After 6 years as an assistant to JC, Dad became a salaried partner and then later in 1956 a junior partner. They covered a large geographical area across the Norfolk and Suffolk boarders and with only the 2 vets in the practice it was a very demanding job. There was very little leisure time. The interrupted nights of sleep for calls, such as a complicated calving cases, were many. Tiredness affects us all. One night, recently returned from a visit to his home land, he answered the phone to an anxious farmer and, still half asleep, he replied with: “I can’t come, I’m not here, I’m in Ireland”, and then promptly hung up. Calls were varied, interesting, and at times, strange. Mum recalls another time hearing Dad say on the phone "Well, what breed is she?" to which the response was: "Breed? She's no breed, I'm calling about my mother!" In 1964 he bought the majority share of the practice and moved into Teemore in London Road where the surgery was based at that time.
In1977 the practice changed from a couple of rooms on the side of our house to a purpose built veterinary centre further up London Road, which was designed by Dad and his partner for 25 years of his working life, Bill James. This provided the foundation for the much larger practice that exists today. His working career spanned 41 years in total and he saw a revolution take place in Veterinary Medicine during that time: the introduction of antibiotics, the increase in the numbers of family pets, and the arrival of exotic animals at Kessingland Wildlife Park. In fact, Sally remembers coming home from school one day to find an Anteater hopping around the kitchen. Dad faced many challenges along the way from all creatures, great and small. From a tiger with toothache to a hamster which had lost its appetite. In many ways, his early career was similar to that of James Herriot who he had met in person. In those early days Mum recalls how some clients payments consisted of jars of homemade jam, bottles of homemade wine, and depending on the time of year, the odd brace of pheasants. He never questioned how these were come by! Dad loved his job and always said he would do it all again, without question. For him, it wasn’t only just about the animals but also the people he met along the way too. Many of whom became close friends.
Our dad Peter married our mum Barbara in March 1956 in this Church and by December, Christopher arrived.... the maths is left to you, but it was late December! Sally was born 2½ years later. We were a very close family and as Dad's work was based from home, we all had our part to play. Mum answered the phone, made appointments and helped with the books, Christopher would go out on farm visits, and Sally often helped out in the surgery and fed the animals boarding in the kennels and cattery in the back garden. We had pets of our own too but in the early days of his married life, Dad would rarely be seen anywhere without his dog Rex, a devoted Border Collie. With only 3 weeks holiday in the year he ensured we made the most of family trips out, and when Chris moved to the States, he would take all his holiday in one go each year so that he could visit him and family. He was very proud of his four grandchildren, Daniel, Robert, Lizzie and Jessica, and all that they have achieved. Each one of them remembers in different ways what a fun loving grandfather he was and the pranks he used to play on them. He experienced great joy at becoming a great grandfather to Matthew who he met last May, and was looking forward to the arrival of two further great grandchildren later this year. He had great affection for his son in law Andy and daughter in law Mary and his many nieces and nephews.
Friends played an important part in Dads life too. He was a fun loving, quiet, generous, gentle man with a mischievous sense of humour that you could not help but warm to. Many of you will recall his infectious smile and the twinkle in his eye. He enjoyed going out, entertaining at home, and just being with people in general. Mum has fond memories of all the Masonic Ladies Nights and the events they attended together, and the great long lasting ring of friendship this important part of Dads life created. He was a well respected member of many Masonic lodges and indeed a founder member of some. When his health deteriorated in 2009 and he was no longer able to drive or go far from home, his contact with family and friends did not stop. Instead, it became centred around his home. He rekindled his love of cards and regularly played bridge in the evenings with friends at the conservative club, and he loved watching the birds in the garden.
Our Dad Peter, Mum Barbara, were happily married for almost 60 years. They were devoted to each other. Dad made the most of his life and supported many along the way. In return, the support of all of his family and friends gave him the determination to face his many health conditions head on and try not to be beaten by them. It is with great sadness he lost his final battle.
He was much loved and will be fondly remembered by many.
We give thanks for his life. Rest in peace Dad.