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Memories of

Henry Aylett

Henry was the best father, husband, son, brother, friend and teacher that anyone could wish for. For those of us lucky enough to have known him, his loss leaves a gaping hole that will never be filled. However, as we reminisce about his life in the years to come, we will all smile and laugh as we reflect on our fondest memories and share our favourite anecdotes.

We are incredibly fortunate that Henry will live on through Casper and Archie. The responsibility now rests on us to share our memories of him so they can understand what a fantastic and well-loved man their Dad was. 
 
With the input of everyone who loved him, this book tells the story of a special man who touched our lives so deeply.

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Book Owner: Kate Aylett
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James Searle

Henners, I honestly don’t think I’ve ever met a kinder human being. Your willingness to help others, listen and be an all-around winner in life is what set you apart as not one of the good guys, but one of the best guys! I fondly remember chatting with you and Kate only last year at Fred’s first birthday about your running goals for 2022, your utter determination to continuously better yourself and the joys of parenthood. Your premature passing is one of the cruellest blows life could deal and if there was only one positive to come from it, it’s that we all hopefully take some of your zest for life and life our own lives a little more Henry. James & Lauren …

Rie Bell

Both of my children were fortunate enough to have Mr. Aylett as their class teacher at Marshgate. He was their favourite teacher, they had the wonderful time with him.   Mr. Aylett had a great passion for teaching, and he was always loving, caring, kind, fair and a great fun to children. His personality was greatly admired by so many children, and by so many of us, the parents.  He was the most popular teacher I know of. We will treasure the memories of him forever…     Thank you Mr Aylett, for giving us such a beautiful memories. You will be greatly missed.      Rie, Tom, Alice and Max Bell …

James Toby Luing-Turnbull

Sincere condolences to Mr Aylett’s family. I only knew him as a teacher who deeply cared about his students and when I heard about his passing it deeply saddened me. I was his student 12 yrs ago in class 4a at marshgate, and I thought I’d share 2 happy memories of him. One being when I sicked up on his nice long pointy shoes I thought I was gonna be in loads of trouble but he smiled took me to the office and made sure I was okay. The second being marshgate style which you guys might wanna look up on youtube if you wanna se Mr Aylett and Mr Gentry popping some insane dance moves. It’s a great memory coming into school having finding this out and all of us finding that our teachers had a life outside of teaching at the age of 9 we weren’t the cleverest bunch. I hope these stories bring any little bit of joy it can with such a lovely man passing. It is a privelage to be able to say I had such an awesome guy as a teacher. Best hopes and wishes to all those who knew him. …

Kathleen & Johnny O'Shea

Dear Casper & Archie, Our memories of your Daddy are that from the first time we met him both Pop and I thought what a lovely kind and considerate person he was. Through all the years Daddy was a great support to Mummy, a loving husband and the beast father anyone could ever wish to have. We both remember that faithful morning when Mummy phoned us with such joy in her heart at the news that Daddy had asked her to marry him. We will never forget your Daddy.  Lots of Love, Nanny & Pop.  xxxxxxxxxxxx …

Mary-Teresa Deane

Hi Casper & Archie, I remember years ago when Mummy & Daddy moved into the rented flat by the A316. At the time our lads were about 8yrs & 5yrs old. Sean was going through a girls are yuck stage. While Henry and Kate were showing us round the flat Sean stopped at the entrance to the bedding and asked “Where is Henry’s room?” Once we all stopped laughing we told him that Kate and Henry shared the same room. The look of pity on Sean’s face when we told him that Henry shared with Kate was priceless. Again he had all in stitches. On the way home home Sean said “I like Henry Mummy but he has to share a room with Kate, do they not have any money so they can buy a place so Henry can have his own room.” Mary, Chris, Sean & Louis …

Theo Hall

Hi Casper and Archie, I had the great privilege of living with your dad, first in halls (where your dad, myself, Rob, Emma and Sally were part of the “E-Unit” – don’t ask, it has aged badly) and then for two years when we all lived a house together. We shared countless nights out during our time at university. York was a small town and there was a certain routine to nightlife – Toffs on Tuesdays, Ziggy’s on Wednesday’s, The Gallery on Thursdays. I cannot remember a bad night out when your dad was there – he was just so much fun to be around (and that was before there was any mention of a dancefloor). I’ve been reflecting on the time I spent with your dad recently. I recall the first time that I met him. I remember walking into the kitchen of our block. I was late and all of our fellow students were sitting around the large kitchen table. I remember taking seat next to your dad and, after a couple of minutes of speaking, thought to myself “thank god”. The reason why I thought that was that Henry just had a way of putting everyone …

Jack and Bridget O'Sullivan

We were at your grandad’s in Ireland in October 2021. You two were there with your mum and dad and you were all making home made pizzas in the kitchen. You were all having such a good time, laughing and joking. It was wonderful xx …

O'Connell Clare Family

All 3 of our boys were lucky enough to have Mr Aylett as their teacher at Marshgate and we are so grateful for that.  We can honestly say there was never a day they didn’t want to go to school when they had him.  He gave them such a love of maths that will continue on through their lives.  He inspired them and encouraged them to have a curiosity about subjects, to use their creativity to find solutions and to just have fun solving problems.  He was always so positive about everything he taught and gave the boys confidence in themselves.  He made all the children laugh and smile and had endless patience for all the questions the children had.  At parents social events he was always so much fun and always put everyone at ease.   We can’t even begin to imagine how much his lovely wife Kate, sons Casper and Archie will miss him but please know that he will never be forgotten by the many people whose lives he touched while teaching at Marshgate. Rest in Peace. Roisin, Aidan, Matthew, Stephen and Daniel O’Connell Clare …

Helen Flavin

Dear Casper and Archie, I absolutely loved working with your Dad at Marshgate Primary School. He enjoyed it so much that he left to work at another school and then came back to us! I have many fond memories of Henry, but a time that really stands out is when Henry, Shane and I went to Pondicherry in India on a teacher exchange in February 2014. Henry threw himself into the experience, as he did with everything – with sensitivity, good humour, professionalism and fun. We went to an incredible meditation centre at sunrise, ate with our hands in a manner which showed our inferior fine motor skills, enjoyed playing with the youngest children and did hilarious martial arts style stretching as a team. Henry’s only complaint, while we were being presented all that the school had to offer, was that he would like to have spent more time teaching the children we had come to visit. I also felt very grateful to both your Mum and Dad when the teachers from India came to visit us in the UK. We worked as a team to host their trip and keep them entertained, but I was pregnant at the …

Sally Evans

Hi Casper and Archie, I was lucky enough to live with your Dad Henners, as we called him, whilst we were at University together in York. We were bundled together in E2 of Alcuin College (or ‘E unit’!) but a group of 5 of us (your Dad, Rob, Theo, Ems and myself) banded together and had a lot of fun – and banter – oh the banter! for 3 years. We kept in touch over the years and he was very proud to tell us about you both! Your Dad had a really cheeky, infectious and knowing laugh and an actual twinkle in his eye. His laugh was the kind of laugh that made you feel really pleased that he found you funny in that moment.  I genuinely loved it when we shared a joke together and can remember exactly how good it made me feel.  He had this way of watching over what was going on I can see him now relaxing on the arm of our sofa laughing as we were mucking around, probably at Rob drawing on our faces! I’ve been thinking a lot about your Dad and there are a couple of things he taught …
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