I'm looking at a photo of my father. br He's wearing army uniform br and has a serious smile, br as if his fighting days had saddened him, br and taught him to distrust mankind. br br From an entirely different generation, br he seemed simpler than his sons - br less obsessed with living life intensely - br more able to attend to basic tasks: br bring money home; br look after house and garden; br deal patiently with paperwork; br help relatives and friends. br br He was missed by many br when cancer dragged him off. br Most, like me, br had taken full advantage of his kindness. br Few had realized br what a rare, good man he was.