Eric Packham
A tribute to the late Eric Packham based on information from Eric’s widow Isa
and step daughter Gail Clarke.
Eric Packham being a Glasgow man born and bred, went on to work at Rolls
Royce Hillington, rising to Chief Work Study Engineer.
Eric and Gail’s dad, Alex McAndrew, were good colleagues at Rolls Royce
for over 30 years and the two men were close friends. They met on many
social occasions together with their wives Wilda (Eric’s first wife) and Isa
(Alex’s wife and Gail’s mum). It was tragic when Wilda and Gail’s father Alex
both passed away within two months of each other in the early 1980s. Later
the close family friends, Eric and Isa, were married and eventually went to
live in Saline, Fife, near Gail and her husband Alistair and their family.
Over the years Eric and Isa with Alistair and Gail came to visit St Oswald’s
on many occasions often to commemorate Wilda’s anniversary in November.
Eric was always so proud of his association with St Oswald’s as he was there
with his Mum, older sister Dora and younger brother Roy on the first day the
church opened. Eric then went on to be a choirboy and a server in St
Oswald’s as well as being heavily involved in the Scouts. Eventually Eric
became Glasgow District Scout Commissioner, and Gail and Isa still have all
the badges, invitations to the Royal Garden Party and his neckerchief and
woggle.
Eric was an amazing Grandpa to Gail’s family being chauffeur for different
activities after school or at the weekend. Also when Gail and Alistair had two
years of hosting children from Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Eric and Isa were
very supportive, welcoming the children into their home too. Gail and Alistair
are still in touch with one of the girls, Tanya, now 21, who sends cards to
them and also Eric and Isa.
Another way Eric helped out, while living in Saline was through his years
playing Santa at the local schools and clubs and he would always go to the
parties fully dressed as Santa in the car waving to all and sundry.
Gardening was another great passion for Eric, as he liked their garden to be
kept tidy and took great pride in good plants, particularly in the hanging
baskets.
Gail recounts that over the past thirty years, she and Alistair were very
fortunate to have Eric in their family. He was a wonderful husband, father,
grandpa and great grandpa, who was loved so much and in return gave as
much love too.
Anne Young
StOM Page 5