RE: Don Franklin

Dear Russell

 

Thank you for emailing us about Great Uncle Don’s passing.  He was a great man and he will always be fondly remembered.

Yesterday Bruce and I showed our friends our family bible (from the Baker side, over 200 years old) and out fell a copy of the hand-written family tree GU Don was inspired to begin.  I do believe he would enjoy it if we continued to piece together the family tree, right back to Benjamin Franklin.  Our thoughts are with you and your family during this time and if there is anything we can do for you and the family from South Africa, please feel free to ask.  I am so happy that GU Don got to spend such a wonderful time with you all last year, even if it took an attack to make the visit happen and I am grateful for his genuine affection that shone through in his many emails to me.  I only really got to know him after many on my side of the family passed away.  I really got the impression this morning that I was sitting between the two brothers who were holding my hands, which subsequently began to sweat.  I am proud to be part of the Franklin line – Franklin Baker Castle – and gain much strength from having known him.

 

Fondest regards,

Philippa & Bruce

 

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From: Russell Franklin [mailto:russell@info-care.biz]
Sent: 30 June 2007 04:49 AM
To: 4farmers; albco; cathy kirkman; David Botha; Fiona Brown; Frederick Crawley; Gail Franklin; Jack Gordon; James Tomlinson; Jeff & Wendy; Jenny Bending; Maxine Reese; Neil and Noelle Franklin; Neil More; Nick Daws; Nicola Gordon; Philippa Elaine Castle; Sally Britten; Simon Gray; Simon Newett; Stephen Franklin; Steve and jacky; Susie Ferrar; Theresa Farley; Vic Bedford; Veronica Walker
Subject: Don Franklin

 

Dear friends,

 

I am writing to let you all know that my dad Don Franklin passed away this morning at about 1am 30th June.  As some of you will know he was struggling with prostrate problems, and about a week ago his condition deteriorated dramatically and my sister Donna admitted him into hospital.  Since then his health further declined and the doctors were not sure of the main cause of his problems but there were obviously other contributing factors.  Apparently yesterday they determined that he had chronic septicaemia and started him on medication for that.  For a couple of days he drifted in and out of consciousness, and Donna said he was a mere shadow of his former self.  At this point I do not know exactly what caused my dad's death, but it probably was the septicaemia.  Perhaps we will never know for sure.

 

I am very grateful to The Lord that he has taken my dad without him suffering for months in hospital.  Up to a few weeks ago he was fairly fit and managing to do most things for himself.  His prostrate problems were causing him some considerable discomfort, and it was difficult for him to get the correct medical care in Zimbabwe.  Even so my sister Donna was a source of great strength, and looked after his interests to the best of her considerable ability.  I am very grateful to her and my sister Gay, both of whom looked after him when he needed them most.

I will always remember my dad with pride, he was a man to respect.

 

Some of you might find it strange to receive this email, but I have emailed those from my dad's address book and also my friends who knew him.  Sorry if you have received this in error.

 

Kind regards,

Russell and family