Page 36 - David Masters

Management Training Consultancy – an extremely brave move at the age of
54. However, the business was extremely successful and allowed him to
practice his love of the English language and its grammar – woe betide any
student misplacing an apostrophe!

In 1986 my parents retired to their beloved Cornwall settling in Mawnan Smith
where they enjoyed travelling extensively home and abroad and worldwide,
and also spending wonderful holidays with their beloved family. They spent
many a glorious hour on their boat ‘At Last’ pootling about the Helford River,
and adventuring further afield to Falmouth and up the Truro River, or round to
Gillan Greek and further to the Manacles. On one such trip, with the weather
gloriously hot and the sea calm, the decision was made to swim costumes or
no costumes. Having skinny dipped into the crystal clear waters when they
eventually struggled back onto the boat they realised they only had a very
small hand towel. So the obviously solution was to dry in the wind as they
motored back to Helford. However, at the mouth of the river a Helford River
tripper boat from Falmouth steamed close by packed with gaping tourists.
What does one do? Smile, wave graciously, and carry on of course!

Daddy was also a brilliant orator, a writer of numerous published articles,
particularly in the technical press, and he also wrote 3 one hour plays which
were broadcast on BBC radio. Also his written tales of little adventures, and
the annual Christmas saga letters, are legendary. Inherited from his father, his
love of DIY never diminished, and his repair skills were legendary. He also
loved making things, including the kitchen chairs and also the double bed my
parents slept in until he died, and his fascination with all things in a clock case
kept him occupied for hours! He could also do the telegraph crossword
backwards just for a change.

He was frighteningly stubborn, particular, courteous, with impeccable
manners, infuriatingly independent, generous to a fault, loving, affectionate,
short tempered, highly quick witted and above all an officer and a gentleman
He was also a mean limerick writer, composing an often very rude rhyme in
seconds.
He compiled the following with a close family friend, Jane, just before he was
admitted into St Julia’s Hospice

Death is nothing at all
I’ve been there before – you see
Whilst dining out
I just blacked out
Right by the bar – poor Giuseppe.

No tunnels of light
Nor celestial choirs
Not a bloomin’ thing did I see
Let’s just hope they’ll pity this bloke
And those vestal virgins find ME.

Daddy – as you always said to me – thank you for just being.