My Black Sheep

by M. Powell
(Skegness, England)

Today I stand in front of you all with a deep hole in my heart. And this is not just my heart that has a hole it is all of yours as well. From wife, father, son, brother, friend and most of all, Uncle to me. We are all here today to celebrate the life of one incredible man with a heart full of love.

I sadly wasn’t able to be as close as all of you were to my Uncle as my Mum and I were across the pond living in the States. I used to get sad because know I missed out on so many memories but when I was able to come here to Skegness/England every moment we shared was captured in my heart forever.

He would always mention the horrible baby I was who would be screaming as loud as possible and with my face bright red. Or talk about when the family came all the way across the pond to visit me for my dance competition where I won my first solo award. He said I was a star on stage and that I shined bright with joy, energy , passion, love and talent across the stage like my mom did when she was young.

He was at almost every show of hers, being the loving big brother that he was.

My uncle had to bear the role of not just a son and a brother, but also the role as the head in the house as their father passed at a young age.

He then later had his own family who he raised, loved and adored.

He was happy with the little things in life; the simple things and I admired that so much about him.

He was a man of many talents but his best is his ability to bring out the best in every person that he came across.

Something that no one knows about my uncle and I is that we shared a bond not most shared. We shared a tough bond on illness.

As many of you know I too am a fighter of cancer and we both had some tough times ahead of us through the treatments and doctors visits. Injections. Pokes. Ivs. Surgery. We promised after each treatment we would call one another and tell each other no one can keep these black sheep down. Ha ha - it was our sincere joke.

As kids my mom was the popular one. The beautiful dancer and popular woman that everyone knew of in this little town Skegness. Some even thought my mom was an only child due to the age difference in my mom and uncle. So we all used to joke and say to my uncle he was the black sheep.

When I got sick, he used to say no one is going to keep my black sheep of a princess down. My uncle had two sons and I think I was his special edition as close to a daughter if he had one so he treated me as that. I told him I would be a black sheep with you any day. And we would make sheep noises around the house.

I’m sorry if I am bouncing from topic to topic and crying but I have been trying to gather my words since I first found out and all I have come up with is my uncle was the bravest man I knew and I know if he were here right now he would tell me to smile and know that he is right here next to me and to keep on fighting and he will be looking down on all of us.

So today is March 7th, which is quite ironic because 7 was both of our lucky numbers. I will hold the black sheep you got me and make a sheep noise so that you can hear all the way up to heaven and I will know you will hear me.

Today is to celebrate you Uncle Greg and to remember you in, not just our minds but, our hearts forever. I love you so very much. Thank you Lord. You have gained a true angel.

Leonard Hellyer Loving son, loyal brother, proud father & grandfather, uncle & friend

by Sherrie Williamson
(Vernon B.C.)

Hello everyone my name is Sherrie.

Now seriously, I want to share a few stories about Uncle Len.

So apparently when I was born they had the biggest snow fall ever in Penticton and a flat tire to boot. It took my Grandfather, my Dad and finally Uncle Len to get us to the hospital. Apparently Uncle Len saved the day! Thank you - and here I am!

Uncle Len was full of life, always smiling, a twinkle in his eye. Like all the Hellyer boys, he loved his cars and trucks and only the best would do.

There is story Gramma would tell how she caught the boys using her feminine products to polish their cars. Len was in on it too. Betcha there was hell to pay there!

Len loved his home and enjoyed entertaining. The only thing was it was so spotless - everything placed just so-so, you were scared to sit. Hence he got the nickname Mr Perfect or Prissy Pants!

Even personal looks had to be just so-so from the shirt and tie to the pants and of course the boots. Oh yes!! The boots - only the best would do.

He loved his family especially his girls, Lynette and Sandi. They he loved with all his heart. Family reunions at the lake swimming and boating, pool parties, BBqs, Christmas... He was always very generous and a gracious host.

Len had an awesome sense of humor, as do all the Hellyer clan. He loved music, loved to dance - even his famous Barstool Stomp. So, secretly or not, I think he always wanted to be a cowboy!! Maybe an urban cowboy!

He worked hard and played hard. He gave 110% to all he did and first in, I believe, logging. Then in to suit and ties for Stedmans & Marshall Wells Stores where he excelled for many years. Then he moved on to construction with his brothers Melvin and James. Then back to City Furniture, cause you know he did have the gift!

I myself and everyone here loved and always will cherish the wonderful times we all had with Len - the laughter, the jokes, the dances, the hugs, the twinkle in his eyes.

We will all miss you. You will always be in our hearts and our minds. Thank God for the gift of memories!! Forever and ever Amen.

Oh, and please a grrreat big hug to all up above from us all here. They have you in their arms once again.

Till we meet again Cheers!!

So:
If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone,
Nor when I'm gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known.
Weep if you must,
Parting is hell,
But life goes on,
So sing as well.

----------------------------------------

 

Read another eulogy for an uncle

Click the link to read another example of a eulogy for an uncle. This one has been lovingly written by a nephew grateful for the role his uncle played in his life and is filled with heartwarming personal stories.

Resources to help write a eulogy

For many more sample eulogies, step by step assistance to write a eulogy, (which includes a free printable planner and speech outline document), and access to poems and readings, go to: Sample eulogies - help and resources to write a eulogy.