‘Smoke Gets In Your Eyes’ - moving farewell to blogger Frank Davis

Last month I mentioned that blogger Frank Davis had died.

His funeral took place on November 5 and it was attended by members of his family, a few friends and people who knew him through his blogging. Others who were unable to attend watched the proceedings online.

Emily Wieja has written about it here and she includes a link to another report by Bucko The Moose whose post includes a video of the service.

I didn't really know Frank but I must say it was all rather moving. I especially liked the fact that the service began with 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes' and apart from Bucko attendees included 'Mrs Bucko and 20Rothmans'.

There were readings from Frank's blog that made clear the extent to which the ban on smoking in pubs had ruined his social life, making him something of a recluse.

But there was far more to his life than banging on about the smoking ban. According to Emily:

Frank’s brother, Andrew, read a very moving account of Frank’s scientific work including Idle Theory, orbital simulation, his glaciation model, and mentioned a new work Frank was writing entitled ‘The Philosophy of Time’.

In Emily's words 'It was a bittersweet goodbye' and watching the recording of the service that's how it felt to me too.

Frank died peacefully in his sleep but I hope he knew how much he meant to the friends he made online through his blog and his virtual Smoky Drinky Bar.

His new 'family' may not have fully replaced the life he lost when he stopped going to pubs after the smoking ban but at least he wasn't alone.

Other elderly smokers who were effectively banished from pubs and bars when the ban was introduced have not been so lucky.

PS. I am flattered that a few words I wrote here following Frank's death were quoted – by his sister-in-law – during the service.

It's the first and only time I have ‘spoken’ - even by proxy - at the funeral of someone who is not a member of my family so thanks for that!