Henry James 'Jim' Blenko

I first met Jim & Eileen when our family moved to Bedford Road in 1967 as ‘next-door-neighbo
urs'. Of course I got to know them much better when I married Julie and Jim became my Father-in-Law. He was a brilliant diy-er and was always around to help with any sort of project. More than that was his persistence, determination and staying-power to complete any job however long it took. As a youth he once cycled from his home in East London to Cornwall and another time cycled to St Osyth to see his parents, only to finds them out and cycled back the same day! Certainly an inspiration me!
To me Jim has been part of my family and life for over 40 years – and as part a very large extended family there have been countless parties, gatherings and events in which Jim, although fairly quiet, has been a lovely man to socialize with. I’ve also had the pleasure of being on many holidays with Jim and Eileen to France and thank him for his excellent and safe driving across Europe.
I think what he had pleasure in most was holidays, gardening and doing the crossword. I very much appreciated him cutting our grass every week – In fact I knew he was happy because you could hear his very loud, whirring, melodic and joyful hum above the noise of the lawnmower!
It was so lovely to have him live with us for the last six months of his life – and share his Daily Mail and the puzzle page! God bless you’re now with Eileen – Rest in Peace Jim
Trevor