It would usually be Gordon up here, speaking, doing this sort of thing, so bear with us, we are going to do our best to do him justice today. Gordon Donald Keys was born on the 20th of October 1942 in East Dulwich to Ernest and Mabel Keys. Gordon was very proud of his name. Its origins lie in the Scottish Highlands where his father, Ernest, elected to serve in the Gordon Highlanders during the second world war, travelling all the way from South London to Aberdeen. Much to Ernest’s dismay a bout of sickness prevented him from joining his regiment on one fateful assignment. His fellow highlanders, including best friend Donald, set sail for Singapore without him and enroute, were struck and sunk by a torpedo. Gordon grew up in and around Dulwich on Underhill Road and as an only child spent much of his time with his cousins David and Tony and his many aunts and uncles. It was in Dulwich where he first met Janet, the girl who lived on Overhill Road, knocking on her door on bonfire night under the guise of borrowing potatoes to cook on the fire. Janet had noticed him before too, parading past her house on his Dawes bike in his scouts uniform many years earlier. He further impressed her as a Royal Artillery Army Cadet at Highwood Barracks, Forest Hill but she was less impressed when the landlord of the Grove Tavern, refused to serve him as he looked too young – he was 22! Gordon and Janet were married in 1965 in Crystal Palace. At the wedding Ernest read the famous poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling, the sentiments of which Gordon has carried through his life and work. Children quickly followed with Stuart born in 1966, a second momentous moment in that year and Susan (me) hot on his heels in 1970. Gordon started work in the insurance industry after leaving school, a career that would take him from London to New York and back again, meeting many great associates, colleagues and friends along the way. He began work in the World Auxiliary Corporation, moving next to Bland Payne which later became Sedgwick’s and eventually on to AIG, where he worked as a Senior Vice President for 19 years. Known as ‘Keysey’ by many and described as an old legend in the London Market, Gordon loved the city. As his family we weren’t always aware of all his achievements and escapades at work, but the wonderful tributes paid to him recently by many of his former colleagues have brought us great joy and comfort to read. To quote one message, ‘he really looked after the people who worked for him – and was brilliant at celebrating success, making sure that everyone felt part of the team and fostering respect all round’. Management came naturally to Gordon, but so did good fun, and he was also known to have kidnapped a colleague or two, to the odd cricket match, golf tournament or day at the pub. It’s not hard to believe he was a real class act at work because he was a great dad and grandad to us all and affectionately known as Nodrog. He often applied his formal corporate sensibilities to family life becoming sometimes slightly frustrated at our lack of preparation but nonetheless always willing to help his grandchildren, myself, Sam, Beth & Annabelle with our education and careers. Once Grandad set up a mock interview for Sam, having him arrive at their house in a suit, which turned out to be much, much harder than actual interview itself. He also helped Beth with her presentation for a placement, staying up late and eventually cracking the company’s marketing strategy, which later astounded the interviewers as this information had not even been made public yet. We could always rely on grandad, he would have dropped absolutely anything and everything to help us. Always a good Samaritan, Gordon has helped many people throughout his life. Rescuing two children from drowning who had drifted out to sea at his beloved Sennen beach, once reversing a bus off a motorcyclist who had been trapped underneath, where everyone else at the scene had been to shaken up to do so. Offering a young, French couple, the Michelle’s, heavily pregnant, stranded and drenched by the English weather, a room at the inn. They would go on to stay with Gordon and Janet for a month and they have remained good friends ever since. Throughout his life Gordon an avid Manchester United fan was a keen sportsman, playing football, cricket and golf. A framed scorecard of one particular outstanding performance on the cricket field graced the wall of the sports ground clubhouse for many a year. In the late 1970s, along with a group of other parents Gordon established a youth football team for Stuart; our cousin Jeff and their friends, their home ground being “the rec” on Eversley Road, Upper Norwood; they are still going strong today. In 2005 Gordon and Janet moved to Sussex, close to where my mum’s family originated and enjoyed exploring the local area and countryside, in particular the car boot sales, where he looked out for bits and bobs, tools and Georgian glassware eventually finishing up in the Royal Oak at Wineham, with a pint of Harvey’s, his favourite. A good neighbour to all, Gordon threw himself into the local community, manning the local elections and joining the Sussex Crime Commission where he was given an award and recognised for this service. Gordon loved spending time with his family and friends, he was so happy driving down to Le Mans with Stuart in a convoy of Porsches, hand on the roof tapping away. Although he was less happy when he dropped his towel and toothbrush in the shower block later that day. His 80th birthday party last year was a night to remember, and he enjoyed it very much. Another favourite place of his was Cornwall, in fact I think he was a Cornishman at heart – proudly displaying his Kernow flag. Dad spent many happy, happy days here with his beloved family and friends – lots of you here today. Mum and Dad honeymooned in Cornwall spending their first night as newlyweds in a haunted farmhouse at Lamorna near Lands End, not far from Nanjizal – Grandad’s secret beach. This special part of the world meant so much to them and in late Summer 2004 they happily became owners of a caravan in Sennen – a wish come true! In August 2006 a wonderful Ruby Anniversary Party in Sennen Church Hall, a highlight amongst many fantastic memories. We all enjoyed our days spent on the beach, dad well prepared – the endurance shown carrying that huge blue back pack filled with everything from Surf boards to a small bottle of wine or an emergency kit kat and of course his binoculars – a sight to behold – always a watchful eye on the sea hoping to spot a cormorant or a passing dolphin, finishing a perfect day with a pint of Doombar in the Old Success pub. I have lovely memories of my dad gazing at the ocean and I hope that what he is doing now, resting up after the last test of his endurance and courage. The Gordon Highlander’s represent great bravery and resilience in the face of danger, with their motto ‘Bydand’ meaning to ‘stand fast and endure’, something that Gordon did to then end. He reminded us all to be strong. Goodbye Dad, we were fully aware of how proud you were of us, but we hope you realise how proud we were of you. We will miss you always.

Today is the day we say goodbye, always in my heart Dad and always with me. I’m going to miss your guidance, support but your love will be forever with me

Today is the day we say goodbye, always in my heart Dad and always with me. I’m going to miss your guidance, support but your love will be forever with me