This is me Gordon Harvey shortly after my stay in hospital in 2000

(Photograph courtesy of Alex Hynd-Smith )

My first glimpse of the world was on the 22nd of July 1946 this was in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, Janet Street to be precise. I would be one of five sons, Bill, Harry, were older than me and Ronnie and Alan were younger.

Bill

Bill was the one to introduce me to the world of computers. I now have presented him with another problem, yes windows xp totally new to me but Bill ( the cavalry) has worked wonders and has got me up and running and into xp. As he did with the last operating system thanks Bill.

Life moved on and I reached the wonderful age of five when I had to go to school. Although I had great childhood friends I got through those ten years at school as quickly as I could, I hated school, I started at St Peters primary and it ended at Bolam street secondary.I never achieved much apart from being in the "A" stream which meant you were pretty bright. I left school in 1961at the age of 15 and went into the world to make a living, this was as an apprentice motor mechanic working for T Howe & Co. who were a Rolls Royce car hire firm. I was to be working on

motor cars.

I had found the perfect profession for my future I thought. 1963 came and I passed my driving test first time, I had found a new love; Driving!. I could not wait to own my own car which shortly afterwards I did it was a Standard Vanguard

this was like my first car

Reg No. JAO 473

Later in my career as a motor mechanic I was employed by Dex, the main Rolls Royce agents in Newcastle upon Tyne for awhile, then I was asked to return to Howes which I did, putting the fleet back onto the road.

When I walked to work I would pass a sign on the the side of a building...... It read I may only pass this way once in my life, let me do any good now for I may never pass this way again. Those words have stuck with ever since

Little did I know that I would with my wife Mary own a further twelve motor cars all of which would be kept in pristine condition as I am a bit of a fanatic on motor car cleanliness

Meet My Wife Mary

I met Mary in 1964 she was perfect a wonderful person some one I knew that I could, and would spend the rest of my life with we did everything together and in 1967 we married.

22nd July 1967

On the 22nd July 2007 we renewed our vows to each other at St. Gabriels church Heaton

We lived at 121 Janet street until due to it being demolished by the council we moved to High Heaton where we still live to this day.We have two daughters a son-in-law and a grandson called Ian we became proud grandparents again on the 28th of May 2002 with the arrival of Emma, and we are still happily married.

My son in law John with Emma Carol and Ian

IAN and EMMA

They have grown up a lot now this was on holiday earlier this year

and here is their bodyguard a German Weimaraner gun dog

he never ever lets anyone go near Emma

LINDA

This is our other daughter Linda bright and cheery

On the 2nd August 2008 she married Fred to become

Mrs Linda McKale

Here they are on that Happy Day

In the early years I did a lot of chauffeuring in my spare time for T Howes mainly for the Civic Centre driving Lord Mayors, Sheriffs and Aldermen for the city of Newcastle I was highly thought of by them and made quite a few friends. I had my own Rolls Royce well it belonged to Howes but I drove it this is it Rolls 51 that's the fleet No.

Reg No.OHU 716

In 1969 my love of driving and the chance to earn extra money led me to a career change I became a bus driver for the Northern General Transport company, I drove everything from rear platform deckers to National Express coaches even Routemasters and along the way I performed the duties of a Conductor, Inspector and Finally as a one person operator I stayed with the Northern for eighteen years and left in 1987 to join Newcastle City Busways later to become where I remained until a life threatening illness forced me into early retirement at the beginning of 2000. I loved Buses and still do. I must thank the trade union and welfare union for keeping me involved in something that took up most of my working life, through these parties I keep in touch with former workmates. This was best move I ever made, the comradeship in this profession was never to be known unless experienced.

MAJOR ILLNESS

On the 18th of December 1999 I was rushed in as an emergency to the Freeman Hospital Newcastle where the doctors broke the news to my wife the news that no one wants to hear that it was more than likely that I would not survive after I contracted a rare fatal blood disease. This disease the most virulent one of the group attacked all the main organs in my body but mainly caused severe damage to my heart and caused several minor strokes which has left me with brain damage and deaf in one ear. The drugs administered to save my life led to some organs being damaged, but I am still alive today and thank those doctors. After beating all odds and surviving which suprised the doctors, I was left delirious for almost two weeks. The doctors will never know how deeply I am indebted especially Dr. D. S. Reid and Dr. Irvine for saving my life and had it not been for their skills and knowledge, and the hospital staff who had great patience with me I would not have been here today writing this webpage. I remained in hospital for seven weeks rebuilding my strength after they overcame the illness which has now left me disabled. My wife Mary never left my side and the prayers said by friends give me an understanding on life. Do not live in dispair for out there is as for me some one is looking over you. I was told by my present consultant Dr. Zaman that the chances of living after contracting this disease was 1 in 100 I knew I was lucky at the time but not as lucky as that after hearing those odds. I will be on medication and hospital checks for the rest of my life.

I have a great number of friends whom I hold in high regard and I gain new friends all of the time. Regrets I have a couple but they are of no great importance now as are the people. If I had my life to live again I would only change two things in it and that is not meeting those two persons. I do however have two very special little friends who taught me a great deal about life and what it really means to love someone, they are: Ben and Sam and they only look to have returned to them what they give freely, the only gift they can give and that is; LOVE. Their eyes tell it all.

TO SEE OUR LITTLE FAMILY CLICK THIS LINK HERE

Ben........................ and....................... Sam

It is with great sadness to say that Ben passed away on the 15th of October 2002

at the age of sixteen.

Today has been a terrible day 16th April 2007 Sam passed away this morning hopefully to join Ben where they can be together again

Sally passed away 23rd April 2008 she too took our hearts away in the short time she was with us

2003 Ben One year on and the pain does not ease................ 2008 Sam,as wth Ben we miss you terribly always there.

2004 Ben, you are still in our thoughts and hearts.................. 2009 Sam again in our thoughts never forgotten

2005 This day brings the loss of you to our hearts again ........ 2009 Sally one year on remembered our thoughts still with you

2006 Ben another year has passed without you..................... 2009 Ben this day in our memories again as always

2007 Still the pain is there as you will always be

How can we, or anyone overcome the pain of losing a pet who has brought so much love into their lives

Sally

Sally has brought warmth back into our lives.Her owner had to go into accommodation where pets are unwelcome so Sally was taken to the vets to be put to sleep, she was too healthy and lovable to be put to sleep so we gladly took her into our home to be our pet. The vetinary practice Firstvets is the same practice that looked after Ben and Sam where they really care about the animals welfare. Sally is having a rough time at the minute but we now have found the problem that she has. She has been diagnosed as suffering from arthiritis which might be controlled with tablets. Sally today lost her fight as the pain increased and caused more problems than her body could stand, Sally passed away today 23rd April at 4 oclock to a place where pain and suffering does not exist we love you Sally always

ELLIE

Ellie a 2 year old wire haired Jack Russel which urgently needed a new home, she too had been taken to the vets to be put to sleep. The vetinary practice were reluctant to ask us to take Ellie so soon after Sally passed away. We decided to phone the practice the following day and they were delighted that we would rehome Ellie. Ellie is not there to fill our loss but there to have a life of happiness with us for as long as she so desires full of love, kindness and effection.

COME UNTO ME

NOW IN GOD'S TENDER CARE UNTIL WE ARE UNITED AGAIN

Updated 15th October 2009

All Email to Webmaster

WEBMASTER