Eulogy for Andrew Nicholas Fontenelle - 6th December 1935 to 2nd October 2018 Welcome family and friends to this gathering to celibate the life of Andrew Nicholas Fontenelle who sadly left us on the 2 October. For those of you who don't know me, I am Andrew Fontenelle. As the eldest of his four children I have been asked to say a few words about him. Our father was a loving husband to Mary, a much-loved father to Andrew, Aleyne, Cecilia and Susan and a beloved grandfather to eleven grandchildren (Kamara, Ade, Omari, Tarik, Afiah, Abena, Azizi, Zahra, Asha, Nana Ya, Aron) and one great-granddaughter (Esme). Our father hailed from the island of St Lucia and was one of fourteen children born to Joseph and Eva Fontenelle. Joseph was a person of some standing in the community as the manager of the Clavier Estates in Castries. Andrew seemed to have had a special place in the family at the time as the first boy to have lived to later life - the three boys born before him all dying at very young ages. My father didn't tell us much about his early life in St Lucia, the two things that we became aware of was that he was never allowed to be in the kitchen and his sisters, all older than him were always very particular about whom Andrew associated with indicating that he had a somewhat pampered upbringing. My father was part of the Windrush generation who saw opportunities in the then 'Mother Country' and emigrated to England in 1959. Mary Alexander, soon to become his wife, joined him a few months later. Soon after arriving in England, Andrew started work on British Railways and undertook various roles with that organisation until his retirement in 2000. He first job was as a carriage serviceman at the Wood Green depot preparing trains. On completing the relevant training, my father then became a conductor guard based at Kings Cross station. His entire career was on the railways where he became GNER Customers Service Manager at King’s Cross Station and Branch Secretary of King’s Cross RMT. I remember growing up that my father was very much a family man. Life for him seemed to revolve between work and home. Although much of his work was shift work where he would be away from his wife and children even on holidays like Christmas, he would always make it up to us. Those who knew my father were aware that he was never a person who went out partying or drinking, but I do recall one Christmas Eve that he attended a works party and had a few glasses too many. He came home swaying on his feet but still managed to put up the Christmas tree for us. Our father was always ready to help others. Whether it was at home or work. For much of his work life, he was an active Union Rep at Kings Cross. During the Miners strike in the 80's my, my father was involved in organising food collections, toys and other items which were personally delivered to the families of the miners at Christmas. He also arranged Christmas parties, pantomimes and trips to the seaside for families of rail workers. He chaired Newbury Park branch of the Labour Party for 10 years and was canvassing for the party right up until May 2018. Not that long ago he was presiding over the local neighbourhood watch. Everyone said that he was always very engaging, highly regarded for his contributions and got on well with everybody. Andrew passed away peacefully on Tuesday 2 October 2018 surrounded by family. As a family, we have been comforted by how respected he was amongst friends and in the local community. This has been demonstrated by the many messages of condolences we have received and the many faces sitting here today. I am sure where ever my father is now he is appreciative of it. My father's laugh and his big smile was noticed by everyone. He was always playing tricks on and with his grandchildren. Like many Caribbean's he loved his cricket. For these and other things, he will always be remembered. 25th October 2018