The Funeral will be live streamed and you can view this by clicking the link below
www.funeralstreaming.co.uk/watch/59104
on and after the 13th March 2026

My Dad "Harry" There are some people in this world whose love is so steady, so sure, so completely and unconditionally yours, that you never quite imagine a world without them in it. That was my Daddy, Harry My wonderful Daddy has now left us and my heart is broken “Mr B”, “Daddy”, “Dad”, “Old Man” all my little nicknames for the most wonderful man I will ever know. He was and will always be the best Dad a girl could ever have. I am so immensely proud to be his daughter. He wasn’t just a Dad to me and Max, he was a Dad to everyone. Friends who came to the house never left as strangers; they left as his adopted children. He had a way of making people feel seen, welcomed, and cared for that was entirely natural to him, because that’s simply who he was. And as a Grandad, he was no different he belonged to Remel, Ria and all of their friends, and they all knew it. My earliest and most tender memories of Dad where when I was small. My Dad would go out on a Saturday night and I would sneak in his bed and cuddle up next to Mum. In the quite of the night, without a fuss or a word, he would come into his room, scoop me up whilst I was asleep, and he’d carry me back to bed. He would always lay me down so gently like I was a precious little thing that he never wanted to wake and it was funny because 90% of the time I was awake and he knew it but with my eyes closed, he always carried me so carefully, he moved so quietly and tucked me in so gently and tightly and I loved that. He always made me feel so safe. My Dad was a quiet man, a small man, but with a huge presence. He loved the simple things, he loved to laugh and he loved us so. I smile now thinking of the patience my Dad had with us when we were small. I remember when I was learning to plait hair and I practiced on my Dad’s big afro! He was always willing, or perhaps not entirely willing to be my practice model. He sat there on the floor whilst I pulled and tugged at his hair, never once complaining and no matter how terrible it looked he always said it looked great!. That was my Dad. He gave me his time, it was the most natural thing in the world. It was as I got older I came to realise that he gave everyone his time, he was just that way inclined! Dad worked abroad a lot when we were younger and I always remember Max and I would be so excited for his return as he always brought back dolls from around the world in their different costumes and varieties. We were always so excited when he came home and he never came back without our dolls, we had quite a collection! Dad and I loved to laugh. We shared so many laughs together, sometimes behind Mum’s back, sharing a look between us that said everything without a single word. Those stolen moments of giggles are tucked so deeply into my heart. Dad had a smile that could light a room, and a laugh that made you want to join in before you even knew what was funny. His shiny gold tooth at the back was always on show and I loved to see him laughing with his shiny tooth sparkling. I often called him “Mr B” and he always answered ‘yes madam’. Being in on a joke with him felt like being the luckiest person alive. My Dad was my biggest champion. Dad always had my best interests at heart. He believed in me, more than I believed in myself. When I wanted to start my own business, it was Dad who encouraged me, who pushed me gently forward when doubt crept in. The pride on Dad’s face when I eventually set up with my business partner. That pride was worth everything to me, all the hardship, the ups and downs and the challenging times. My Dad never stopped telling people about me and my business, even though he could never really explain what I did, he was just proud to say I had a business. That was his way of loving me: he made all my achievements feel like the most important things in the world, because to him, they were. One of the greatest honours of my life was walking down the aisle on my Dad’s arm. When we got in the limo on the day and we journeyed to the church we had a special moment. Holding hands I reminded him that I may be getting married but I will never stop being his little girl and he will never stop being my ‘little Daddy’. He may have given me away that day in the eyes of the law, but I was a Daddy’s girl through and through from start to finish. Everyone knew it, he knew and I knew it. Our bond was undeniable. People would meet me and say ‘Oh yes you look like your Dad’ that would always make me so happy I loved looking like my Dad. And don’t get me wrong I absolutely love my mum but my Dad had such a special place in my heart that will never be filled. There are so many things that made my Dad unique, so many stories I could tell you about funny things he did. Just before Christmas, last year we had our last shopping trip together in Bromley. We walked arm in arm through the Glades shopping centre, picking out presents, taking our time, just the two of us. I wish I knew then what I know now, I would have walked even slower, looked at things with Dad even longer, held his hand and arm even tighter. But I remember the warmth of his arm in mine, his smile, the ease of our day, when everyone was rushing around us. It was perfectly ordinary and, I know now, perfectly precious. We left shopping and went straight to his favourite Miller & Carter steakhouse for dinner that night. We chatted about everything and nothing. We ate steak, drank cocktails, Dad had beer and we just enjoyed a quiet day and evening together. I was so grateful for that last shopping trip with Daddy. Little did I know that 3 weeks later he would be admitted to hospital and never return. I have so many wonderful memories and whilst I am grateful for them all, I would love to have just one more Daddy day. Dad and I had a little joke between us. When I told him I loved him, his response was always a cheerful and funny “yes, yes, yes”. That was Dad saying it back in his funny little way. But in his final weeks, I would say “Love you Dad” and he would say it back with conviction, with warmth, with ease as if he knew he should have been saying it all along! I will hold those words forever. My Dad didn’t need to say the words, his actions showed me every day, but hearing it said out loud, again and again so freely in those precious last weeks, is a gift I will carry for the rest of my life. I loved my Dad so much, he was my little Daddy, I wanted him to live forever. I never wanted this day to come. I never wanted to be without him. 30 years ago, I named my son after him. Remel Chevan Harry Benjamin-Leach was named so that Dad would live on through him. Dad mattered, his name mattered. I got married and never gave his name up Mr Benjamin, you will always live on in my heart in my mind in my son, in my name and in my deepest soul. Dad, you didn’t do ‘stress’ you didn’t take on drama, you lived your life simply and peacefully. I wish you could have lived for ever, I wished, your love of whiskey would pickle and preserve you. I never thought you would be taken from us so quickly. I miss you so much. Dad, your smile, your laughter, your love of everyone, everything and all things grassy are things I will carry with me always. You were the best father in the world, not just in my eyes, but in the eyes of everyone lucky enough to know you. Thank you for every moment, every laugh, every quiet act of love. Thank you for being proud of me. Thank you for walking beside me. Thank you for loving all my friends like they were your own, thank you for showing me how to live life respectfully and peacefully. Thank you for being the best Dad in the world. I miss you and will miss you forever. Rest peacefully, Dad. You were, and always will be, the best Dad a girl could ever have.