Family updated
Thank you to everyone and their kind words in my last post regarding family and my dad passing away, they were very much appreciated. I have since decided to remove that post. While I was fairly sedate in what I had to say, and was more than entitled to be pissed off..I felt bad, I’m such a spineless wuss.
A week after initially contacting my grandmother, I had to suck it up and ring again. I really tried to avoid it, by trying to hunt down some information myself and with the wonderful help from the lovely Meg (thank you SOO much again Meg!). We could find nothing, no newspaper notices, not funeral details in the area..nothing. She told me to contact my Aunt for the details, managed to quickly grab the number of his on again off again girlfriend before she cut the 1min call short.
So the Weekend before last we went to Wollongong or Willygong if you ask Hayden. Not sure what it is with my kids and renaming Australia towns. We went to met a lady that Dad had be living with, we thought they had married, but were only engaged. They hadn’t been together for a few years, but were still friends, and she was helping him out. Found out a lot, more than his family would have been able to tell us. Still don’t have an exact date. Seems he died at home, alone and it was a few days before he was found. He apparently had a massive heart attacked and collapsed. He then spent a further 2 weeks in the morgue waiting for family to be contacted.
Really breaks you heart to think of him like that. You hear about it in the news so often, but never think it would happen to your own loved ones. While he chose to live his life that way, alone, an alcoholic. But to die alone, and so lonely..is just sad 
He was my Daddy.
While a lot of her info was helpful in piecing together the last few years of his life. I’m not sure that it helped, or made things worse. I guess eventually I will be happier that I knew everything.
The questions still remained as to why we weren’t contacted. So I went home and rang my Aunt. Of all that side of the family, we were closest to them. I had such fond memories of the time we would spend with them. Which made it hurt even more. It was a little weird, but she was just as lovely as I remember. She was very sorry, said they tried to contact my Mum and me, but assuming I had married and changed my name didn’t look in the phone book for me. I guess I have to give them the benefit of the doubt that they did try, and it’s easy to say with hide sight they should/could have done more.
They were off to New Zealand in 2 days for 6 weeks and they would be in contact when they get back. But told me of the plans they have to scatter his ashes in April. All the family is planning to come to Sydney, and scatter his ashes near Garden Island (a Navel base in Sydney Harbour). Dad was in the Navy, and had a deep love for the Navy, ships and the sea.
Perhaps he can find peace again there. I hope I can find some too.
Sorry about your dad, Leigh. I missed the other family post but just wanted to offer my condolences anyway. My thoughts are with you and yours. Take care.
I’m sorry Leigh – I didn’t know about this either (and I feel like a crappy friend now
) I hope you are okay and that you were able to resolve any questions you had. It’s a beautiful thought to scatter your dads ashes near the Naval base. I hope he finds peace again too. I am thinking of you *hugs* 
Barbara’s last blog post..12 Week Challenge
May he rest in peace Leigh…..I hope you are able to get some closure as well. *hugs*
Kay’s last blog post..52 Blessings – Week 10
Big hug’s Leigh very sad way to go, that was a nice thing to do scattering his ashe’s near the Naval base, hope you can get some closure.
Thanks girls, mwah
oh sweetie, i am stunned…biggest hugs always my hunny…u know my e:mail if u want me ok?? its not a lot to offer…but i offer you my shoulders and tissues…god i miss you…special huggles to you and your family mate…
I really hope that in time having the information you have now will be a comfort rather than causing any more pain and that you can find some closure.
:hug:
I really hope that you can find some peace through all of this leigh. What an awful way to find out, You’re right, no matter what, he was still your Dad.
Hugs.
tiff’s last blog post..Ectodermal Dysplasia with immune deficiency means squat.
So sorry to read about this Leigh, my thoughts are with you. I hope your Daddy can RIP now.
Sorry for your loss Leigh. I hope you find the answers you need and that your dad finds peace in the next world that he did not have in this one.
hugs
Betttina’s last blog post..TJ’s Excursion
Oh babe, I am coming in late so didn’t see the post you took down, so not quite understanding what is going on.
But regardless, sending you hugs and sympathy. I can only imagine how hard this has been for you.
<3
Kelley’s last blog post..Hello Kitty. Well, Hello Kitty!!
Oh, wow … How awful for you and your family. You have our sincerest condolences on your loss and the incredibly difficult time you have experienced.
DMM
DaisyMae Maus’s last blog post..Purrayers for Percy!
what a heartbreaking time you’re going through and i can only repeat what everyone else has said. be kind to yourself and know that things do eventually get better.
rah’s last blog post..choices
Thank you everyone so very very very much for your kind words. It really does mean a lot