Alec Dymond
Alec very sadly passed away on December 5 th at St Luke’s Hospice after a long illness. His funeral was held at St Michael’s Church (Landrake) on December 16 th. The church was packed to standing room only which demonstrated his popularity in the local community and beyond.
The service succeeded in capturing the very essence of Alec, with a genuine show of affection for a man of great character and someone who played a unique and irreplaceable part of the life of his family, Landrake village and his many friends.
Alec was born in Kiln Cottage, Polbathic on 21 stFebruary 1928. He attended many local schools including Bethany, St Stephens, Tideford and Landrake. He worked as an apprentice in masonry and brick Laying and gained his qualifications with Mr F Kitt and Son of Trematon. Following his apprenticeship and gaining further industry related skills he became a Master Builder. Alec worked on many projects in the South East of Cornwall including projects such as stonework on the Notter Bridge to the renovation of churches and building houses. He proudly passed on many of his skills to his family and friends.
In 1953 he married Dorothy (Doss) in Saltash with the reception at the Geffery Hall in Landrake.
Alec did a lot of work for the local community including building work where needed in the village, he became Chairman of the Geffery Hall for many years. Aec was an avid euchre player and for many years he played darts, snooker and cards with his friends at the Bullers Arms representing the pub at local league events. He was an avid reader and could devour a book on any subject in no time at all.
He spent a lot of time in the Bullers Arms, affectionately known by his grandchildren as ‘Grandad’s office’ and here is where, Alec said, he gained most of his contacts for building work.
Alec left the church with his favourite flat cap on top of the coffin to the sound of the Last Waltz. This was a sobering reminder of the song that would always unite Alec and Doss in a dance at the end of an evening and the only dance that Alec couldn’t resist ( he wasn’t a particularly confident dancer). At the graveside, good friend Phil Beech read an emotional poem then Roystan Clark (Alec’s friend) placed a pack of playing cards with Alec and the ladies placed roses. These are again reminders of the impact that Alec had on friends and family alike.
He will be missed.
