"For those who don't know it is with the greatest sadness that I inform you that my Dad John Godden lost his last battle on Sunday and had to leave us.
Dad has been battling bowel cancer for over 4 years and he battled like a warrior! Even when he was in intensive care last year with a broken pelvis, hip and hand, and had to have his spleen removed he still refused to let it be the end as he knew he still had work to do! Dad wanted to make sure mum was settled back in the UK with Joanna, William and me and to make sure his mum was settled into a care home too. This he managed to do having settled mum into a beautiful home in Broadstairs and his mum into a beautiful care home close by. He brought them to the place where he enjoyed so many childhood holidays so that they could be close to my aunt and uncle and not be alone. This he completed on Friday hours before he was rushed into hospital.
We take solace in the fact that dad was not on his own but was surrounded by family when he left this world and passed onto the next. I had the beautiful but heartbreaking experience of holding his hand in his time of need as he had done so many times for me.
For those who knew this great man you have your own personal memories of how he touched your lives for the better. For those who didn't you missed out.
My Dad, my role model, my hero I can't believe you are gone. I wake each morning hoping it was all a dream but alas. You were an amazing father to Joanna and me, the best granddad to Wiliam and the perfect husband to our mum who you made so happy. My life will never be the same without you. Rest in peace now with Granddad and the rest of the family. Until we meet again Poppa Bear xxx"