09/02/2026
It is with great sadness that we said Goodbye to Big Al (Grandad) on Saturday morning. He is going to be missed by our immediate family so much and was the literal bed rock and foundation of why our small but very close family is the most amazing family you could ask for.
He stepped into so many roles for others without any hesitation. Including being what I and my brothers consider our Dad.
However, that close family bond was extended dramatically with all you guys who have been here over the years at ModelHealth and the family thatโs been created here and built around the ethos he instilled in us all.
For those of you who may not have met him or knew much about him, you only need to look around this gym and see for yourself how much he has touched your life if youโve ever been here at our gym working with us.
Every shelf built, every burnt bit of wood, every room created, every lick of paint, every broken piece of kit that got fixed, every time we expanded the gym, every piece of gym kit thatโs been built. Grandad wasnโt the type to retire and chill. His worst fear was to sit in a chair and be bored out of his mind in retirement. His nature was to build, fix and support others.
He literally lived and breathed this place in his retirement, and has been here supporting our every step since we opened 13 years ago in Stepney before we opened our Benfield Location.
I am glad we got to give him a place to continue playing the role where he could make a difference for people, because thatโs exactly what he dedicated himself to doing for everyone around him. Weโd often have to kick him out, telling him Grandma will be sending the search party if you donโt get back home.
Weโd often come into the gym on the weekend and find him grafting away making sure something was done for Monday.
Iโm going to miss him hovering round the pool table when he says โheโs going nowโ.
You knew exactly when he wanted a quick game coz heโd give it a quick check of the felt and brush down any marks on the table and pick off any dust or bits.
Weโd have to ask him โDo you want a game Grandad? Heโd never ask himself. It was almost like a game he played to check your attention and busy-ness. Heโd always reply with โGo on then, like he was doing you a favour. Gna miss that more than you can imagine.
Iโm sure you will all look up and say a quick word of appreciation in your head to Big Al
If there ever was a phrase I could describe Grandad personally for me, it would be thisโฆ.
โThey donโt build them like him anymoreโ
A real man, unapologetically selfless, and a real gentleman to anyone in his presence.
We are going to miss you so much.
