The Peardon family would like to thank everyone for coming and giving Denis a wonderful send off. We could not have done it without your kindness, love and support. I dont know how many were there but the church and pub were full to the brim. It was clear that he had touched so many people lives, was greatly loved and respected and that made us even more proud of him.

DONATIONS: Thank you all so much for honouring dad with your kind words, cards and donations we have been overwhelmed.  We are still collecting it is amazing how much we have raised in such a short space of time!  People can still donate online by text or by cheque Mesothelioma UK and send it to us 36 Berkley Lodge Tilbury Road Great Yeldham Essex CO9 4JG.

gemma@kafften.co.uk

MY DAD

In loving memory of DENIS PEARDON Husband of Andrea for 40 years, Father to 4 daughters Sam, Katrina, Gemma and Rebecca, Granddad to 1 Granddaughter Patricia and 3 Grandsons Ryan, Leo and Troy, Managing Director, Bricklayer and Friend to many!

MESOTHELIOMA – An incurable cancer mainly of the chest / lung lining that develops between 15 – 60 years after exposure to asbestos. - We had never heard of this word before, let alone been able to pronounce it.  Now I’m sorry to say that as a family we are all experts on this incurable and cruel "working mans" disease.  

The first time I heard this word was around 10 years ago.  I was told that my Nan (Denis’ mum) had mesothelioma and sadly she passed away quite quickly.  My sisters and I were much younger then, did not really understand and were mostly sheltered from the events.  All we knew was that this was related to asbestos exposure and was very common in the Barking area where my Nan, Granddad Dad, and Uncle John grew up. Back then it was just another building material.

Then around 9 weeks ago we heard the word again but this time for my dad Denis Peardon.  We were devastated and immediately sprung into action to find out everything and anything we could to try to help. We were surprised at the lack of information and the bleak outlook. 

Then we found Mesothelioma UK, an organisation set up to try to help other families with information and support, raise awareness and money for specialist doctors to invest in trying to prolong life and eventually find a cure. 

It is thanks to this organisation (among others) that we gained some understanding of what was going to happen, found a lovely support group and got our dad transferred to a specialist hospital in Cambridge (Papworth) that took great care of us.  

At present there is no cure for mesothelioma and average survival from diagnosis is around one year. In our case it was just 9 short weeks.

Furthermore, although current rates of mesothelioma are directly related to the heavy use of asbestos in industry in the 1950s-70s, asbestos wasn’t completely banned as a building material in the UK until 1999 and the death toll is rising year on year.

The disease now kills around 2,300 UK residents a year – more than cervical cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, mouth cancer and malignant melanoma.

However, of all the cancers Mesothelioma is the least researched and funded.

As a family that has been struck twice by this preventable disease, we would like to try to help others if we can.  So instead of sending flowers perhaps you would be kind enough to make a donation, however small (please use gift aid), that will go towards helping others on this difficult journey and that one day when hearing the word “mesothelioma”  you will also receive the word “hope.”

Denis was a wonderful man who touched many lives, both professionally and personally.  We thank you for all your kind words and cards. Love the PEARDON GIRLS.  

MY MESSAGE I cannot only use 20 words so here goes...

Dad you were my hero, you were always so calm kind and honest.  You were also very funny and would crack me up! I loved your cheeky grin and the faces you would pull when mum was not looking.  Throughout my childhood I saw how you helped people and it was not uncommon to have a guest staying with us.  You always worked so hard to provide for us.  The greatest gift you gave us was to all work alongside each other as a family with you. You could not have done anymore. I’m so sad that you’ve gone at only 64 and never got your retirement although everyone suspected that you would never really stop working as you loved it so much.  Even when the end came you were still handing your systems over and mentioning the good guys club and bonus bank in your sleep. I could not have a better role model and I will make you proud.

Gemma Peardon Daughter

A Poem By Tony Malin Contract Manager Kafften

Lived by the old fashion values

Honest as the day is long

Always spoke the truth

Your boots will be impossible to fill

I will miss you my voice of reason

Love and repect Tony, Maria & Family

 

A message from close friend Mick Sims

A true friend that will be sadly missed but will always be in our hearts, a real gentleman.