Post from Paul Hackling - I would like to thank you all for your kind words of condolence, truly humbling. Crosskeys Rugby Club was a big part of Dads life as a player and later as a supporter. Dad took his rugby very seriously, I am sure that anyone who got into a conversation with him would know. Rugby was his passion, Keys was his club and after his Wife and Daughter passed away Keys supporters and players became his extended family, thank you all. Every Sunday Lisa and myself would take him to lunch at Crosskeys Rugby Club, he would love the banter with the staff, they would wind him up and he would love it! He would let everybody know that the beef was second to none. Some of the best days Dad had was in the Lounge after the game where we were joined by Dafydd, Peter, Nathan, Griff, Peebles, Jamie Way, Liz, Dai Hackling and Jim Tiley, Dad was in his element. We cannot give Dad the send off he would have liked but when the season starts and things open up I’m sure we will. We only got to see Dad twice within his 6 month stay in Hospital, it’s certainly not how I am going to remember him. We didn’t always see eye to eye but he was someone I truly admired. His strength to carry on and his fight was incredible. I became his carer but sometimes he would look after me more than I would look after him! Nothing beat Dad and he didn’t give up, he just wanted to reunite with his wife Beryl. I would like to be a fly on the wall when that reunion takes place, don’t be too hard on him Mam. This is your final tour Dad, please, please try and behave yourself and please don’t get lost on arrival. Take care Dad xxxx
joseph hackling
2nd April 2021