IN MEMORIAM

John Alistair Cameron TODD

1935 to 2006

AAS Arborfield Intake 52A

22^nd June 2002

“It is with a feeling of deep sadness I send news of the passing of John Todd of intake 52A. John died peacefully at 02.00 hrs this morning, Monday 4^th of December 2006, at the Borders General Hospital, Melrose, Roxburghshire. The sorrow that Gwen and her family are feeling will be shared by all of the Arborfield Family, especially those of us who knew him personally as a great and loyal friend. May his God take our good friend John into his safe care and keeping, and spread a cloak of compassion and comfort around Gwen and their family during these darkest of hours.”

Trevor STUBBERFIELD (52A)

“Although the majority of those who knew John may not gather to bear witness to the respectful and proper disposal of his mortal remains, it is of far greater importance and within the capacity of us all to celebrate the great gift of his life.”

“I, and my wife Marion, all too briefly enjoyed the privilege of meeting and entertaining John and Gwen during their great walkabout Down Under and it is understandable why his death is felt by us to such a profound degree.”

“The manner in which humanity copes with the death of a loved one is of a very individual nature. In recognising the finite life of the physical body and the inevitability of death which none of us can escape, I draw comfort from the core belief that John’s spirit will live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew him. No man is truly dead until he is forgotten.”

George MILLIE (49B)

“John’s funeral service was held on 8^th December 2006 at Morton Hall Crematorium, Edinburgh. In attendance, representing Intake 52A were Bill and Praxy Gibson and Chris and Margarete Powell. The service opened with the hymn Jerusalem, followed by The 23^rd Psalm and the hymn The Day Thou Givest Lord Has Ended..”

Trevor STUBBERFIELD (52A)

For a season there must be pain –

For a little, little space

I shall lose the sight of his face,

Take back the old life again

While He is at rest in his place.

For a season this pain must endure,

For a little, little while

I shall sigh more often than smile

Till Time shall work me a cure,

And the pitiful days beguile.

For that season we must be apart,

For a little length of years,

Till my life’s last hour nears,

And above the beat of my heart,

I hear His voice in my ears.

An adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “The Widower”

John’s Photo Album can be accessed from the link below