Tributes paid to ‘kind and caring’ former Haywards Heath resident

Tributes have been paid to a ‘kind and caring’ former Haywards Heath resident who worked in the ambulance service.
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Ian Charles Milton died at the St Peters and St James Hospice on August 16 after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in February.

His son Paul said Ian was born in London on September 4 1950 as the second child of Bert and Elsie Milton.

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Paul added: “His parents moved to Crawley new town where he grew up and went to school. 
“Ian was a qualified carpenter and joiner and did an apprenticeship with Longley building company.

Ian Milton with one of the family catsIan Milton with one of the family cats
Ian Milton with one of the family cats

“He had many interests tug of war team member when he was younger, and played in the Caledonian pipe band where he was a drummer, he played in many competitions including playing at the Royal Albert Hall.”

Paul recalled riding with his dad in the old Longleys brown carpentry vans.

He added: “My dad was also a good artist, he joined the ambulance service and territorial army for a few years, when partly retired he still continued to do gardening jobs which he enjoyed.

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“He was a kind caring person and would always help others if he could.”

Paul looked after his wife Helen Milton’s mother when she had dementia.

Helen said: “He could never be replaced and the world is missing a lovely human being, taken too soon to cancer, he leaves wife Helen Milton and son Paul Milton”.

Ian met his wife Helen Milton while working at Horsham Ambulance station. They were married for 43 years and they moved from Horsham to Hayward’s Heath 34 years ago.

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Paul added: “My dad was a kind genuine soul, we need to do more for better diagnosis of cancer particularly earlier.

“My dad was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in February, from him coming home from diagnosis to his death it was so quick.

“The panic of realising how much time he had left, trying to get jobs done prior to his death, me and my dad we were putting a heavy fence in, By the end of his cancer he could barely lift the kettle relying on hot water bottles for pain relief.

“He was a good dad, he did many things locally in Haywards Heath and surrounding particularly carpentry jobs for St Mary’s Church Balcombe and Tigger’s Play Group and many other carpentry jobs.

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“I don’t speak to many people my main confidante was my dad we would talk about everything and anything from disabilities to politics to crosswords and equalities there wasn’t much we didn’t talk about.

“Getting back on track there needs to be better support for terminal cancer and after care as well. It’s little things like your father’s shoes by the back door left in place folded over on them selves, his car keys on the table with the happy face on the bangle.

“I think as though he’s just at a job [and] just hasn’t come home yet. Even when you make food for yourself you think I better leave some dad might want some then remember he’s gone not here.”

The coronavirus pandemic affected Ian and Helen, limiting the activies Ian could do during his final months, Paul said.

He added: “We need to do much, much more for earlier diagnosis of oesophageal cancer.”

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