Yesterday
we said our farewells to another of our great fellow bandsmen, when
our old friend and colleague Laurie (Fred) Pacy (Basses) left us all
to join with his wife Margaret once more.
It
was an excellent service too considering the current limited circumstances
and was attended by as many as were permitted into the small chapel
at the Portchester Crematorium and Gardens of Rest. Luckily, (as Laurie
might have said!), we were all excused singing!)
His son Keith, (Former RM Band Sergeant) gave an excellent eulogy of
his Dad, and I personally came away feeling that I'd learned a great
deal more about the man with such a gentle soul. "Fred" spent
his life loving his music and playing! So much so, he continued to play
on long after he'd retired from the RMB! In fact it was only a year
or so ago that he decided to retire from the Bass section of the RMA
Concert Band at the tender age of 84! He was very much a founder member
and a regular from the very first rehearsal when the band was formed
in April 2006 under Capt Ted Whealing MVO BA ARAM ARCM LTCL RM (Ret'd)
On his final rehearsal night, Laurie was duly recognised by the current
Dir.of Music and former PDM Lt Col Chris Davis OBE BA(Hons) MMus DMA
LRAM RM (Ret'd) who duly thanked "Fred" for his invaluable
service and loyalty to the band and presented him with an inscribed
plaque to mark the occasion.
Laurie I know, was amazed and honoured, when one day last year there
was a knock at the door and who should it be but Chris Davis himself
who popped round to his house for a chat and to spend time with him
and to check all was well. A lovely gesture by Chris. Well deserved
too I'd say. Fred will always be long remembered by all those who knew
him.
RIP Old Fella. I'll never forget those happy days serving with you in
Terror Band Singapore in those mid to late 60's!
