Basil was many things to many people - dad, nonno, big brother, zio Basil. But he was one thing to all – a man that was loved. Dad had simple, basic values that remained constant throughout his life, which he instilled within his family – the importance of talking to each other; the value of family; and the strength of love. I remember when dad was giving the father’s speech at Paul and Antonella’s wedding, and mum was a little embarrassed and trying to get him to sit down. He refused until he had passed on his advice to the newly-weds; that advice was to always talk to each other and share one’s thoughts and burdens. That advice remains true today as it did then. Communication is key, be it amongst your nearest and dearest or ones friends. When we introduced dad to our friends for example, they often commented on how sweet and kind he was, and how they enjoyed chatting with him and sipping champagne, or drinking dad’s own ‘special cocktails’ at different parties over the years. He had the special quality of engaging with people and being genuinely interested in them. A true gentleman. Even those that only had the privilege of meeting him once said how interesting, delightful and charming he was, and how he certainly seemed much younger than his years. He took great delight in hearing this, particularly if they thought that he was my brother! Many of our friends speak of dad with great fondness and have memories of his generous hospitality and warm nature. Communication will often provide the strength you need to face up to life’s challenges. A simple acknowledgement that you are there for them whenever needed can go a long way. Dad always recognised the importance and value of family. Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter. Family life is full of major and minor crises - the ups and downs of health, success and disappointments, and all kinds of characters. It is tied to places and events and histories. With all of these details, life etches itself into memory and personality. In every conceivable manner, the family is a link to our past and a bridge to our future. Dad completely subsumed himself within the Italian culture and value of family when marrying the love of his life Teresa Possibile. The Italian family has been a key part of his life, and our lives. Dad was always proud of Antonella and me taking great pride in our achievements. He was also very proud of our subsequent families, and particularly of his grandchildren - the ‘four monkeys’ Mara, Cameron, Emily and Toby – who were his world. Dad was often the centre of special family occasions and celebrations, be it birthdays, anniversaries, communion and confirmation; sitting in this very church for example for Mara and Cameron’s First Communion and Confirmation. He was very proud of his family. His living room at home paid testament to this as the walls and shelves were just covered in family photos! Family means putting your arms around each other and being there. We will all have our own special memories of dad. As George Eliot once said, ‘What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.’ However, he was also a very strong-willed, determined and occasionally belligerent person. But these were most probably ‘no bad qualities’ developed during his early childhood growing up in Cape Town, South Africa during the late ‘30’s to early ‘50’s before he left to go to England. Dad didn’t really speak much about his life in South Africa, but clearly his family values were instilled within him at an early age through his mother Bertha, who effectively brought up her four children single-handedly. Sheila, dad’s sister who now lives in Hertfordshire, England is with us today to share in this celebration of her brother’s life. When dad did speak of his early years, he often spoke fondly of his childhood and teenage years cycling, swimming and generally keeping fit around the beaches and mountains of Cape Town. He always looked after himself both physically and in his appearance. Sport and keeping fit has been a constant throughout his life, as has been his smart appearance. I remember when I was growing up as a young boy in London, we used to go for drives as a family on Sunday afternoons visiting friends, and he always used to make me wear a tie – from the age of six! Clearly dad’s legacy will be the strong foundation that he provided us in bringing up our own families. His ‘four monkeys’ – Mara, Cameron, Emily and Toby – were always the centre and focus of his life. The values that he instilled within me: the importance of communication; the value of family; and the strength of love - the strongest of these being love – will remain with me forever. Thank you dad. We take comfort in the thought that you are now reunited with mum and Antonella, who you clearly missed so very much. You always spoke about them and had them always in your thoughts and in your heart. Dad, you will now join them and be forever in our hearts. To borrow the word’s on Deirdre’s mum’s commemorative bench in the Botanic Gardens here in Edinburgh, ‘A life that touches others goes on forever.’

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Basil Smith. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.