It is with great sadness that I report the passing of John who walked the park every day with his German Shepherd Tess. It is probably no exaggeration to say that everyone knew John, because he stopped and spoke to so many and always had some story to tell. John loved the park and maybe the park loved him. He would quietly try to save the frogspawn when the wet patches were drying out. He would look out for the foxes he met in the nighttime. And he was particularly pleased with the new benches.
We will all miss John very much. I will still imagine him walking there and expect to meet him round the next corner. Perhaps we shall one day. I understand that the funeral will be this Thursday, Jan 30th at 10am at Westerleigh Crematorium.
Friends of Emersons Green Park 
My family and I saw them regularly, we will miss John. We hope that Tess still has somewhere to live and people to love her.
Hi Catherine – John lived next door to me with his wife and son and I’m pleased to say that Tess is safe with them.
Sorry for the delayed reply we were not made fully aware of this lovely farewell message regarding dad until today.
Many thanks for posting the article and your kind messages Catherine and Vicky.
We were all overwhelmed that so many were able to attend Westerleigh, I don’t think dad realised how popular and loved he was.
Kind regards
Myra (mum), Julie & Lesley (daughters), Steve and John (sons) and of course Tess.