Thomas Rowell 23/02/1999 age 70 years retired miner lived in aycliffe crescent, springwell estate gateshead married to jean for almost 51 years 5 children 13 grandchildren & 1 great- grandchild at time of death.thomas died with great dignity from cancer Thomas was my dad im the youngest of his 5 children my dad was a very brave man, he was a great dad & grandad to us all, he had a dry sense of humour & was always fun to be with. he loved a pint at his local workingmans clubs the thomas wilson in lowfell & the windy nook club. he loved life & lived to the full until he became ill,he was always working in his garden & his greenhouse,he loved old music.He loved his dogs had many dogs over the years also he used to breed budgies& rabbits, he also had tropical fish.We all had a great life he was always life & soul of our family with his daft sayings.my dad was raised in leadgate & lowfell,he had 1 sister but she sadly died at the age of 9 years.my dad died of cancer but he never complained or moaned he tried so hard to fight this but sadly the cancer beat him.he has left a big gap in our family he will always be loved & never forgotton it was very difficult to watch a strong man slip away from us so fast.but im sure he will be watching us & guiding us just as he did when he was here..we miss him so much till we meet him again we will always remember the great memories of the greatest dad anyone could ask for.im sure you will be having all your family & friends thats you have joined laughing just as you did here..i need to ask a favour again dad look after baby skye for us shes your great-granddaughter,mich aellas not coping to well but im sure with the strength from you & skye she will get through this difficult time also with the help from all of us, with all our love from wife jean,daughters joan,maureen & elaine sons terry & john daughter-in-laws,son-in laws your 13 grandchildren & 21 great-grandchildren.Dad im sure there will plenty laughter up there with you x x x