Paul Laurence Nethercot

Our Dad, Paul Laurence Nethercot, left this life on May 10th 2011. His earthly struggles over, he is now reunited with our Mom, Barbara. Her passing on April 15th 2008 weighed heavily on Dad – their 49th Wedding Anniversary was April 27th of this year.

Dad, an only child, was born to Laurence and Winnifred Nethercot in Bristol, England on July 4th 1937. What should have been a time of innocence and wonder for a child was soon overshadowed by War. On September 3rd 1939, following the invasion of Poland, England declared war on Nazi Germany. Between November 24th 1940 and April 1941, over 900 tons of high explosives and incendiary bombs were dropped on Bristol by the Luftwaffe – 15,000 bombs in the first raid alone.

Like thousands of other children of the cities, Dad was shipped off to the relative safety of the countryside. He lived on his Uncle David’s farm and would often help drive the farm wagon out to bring lunch to the Land Army Girls who worked the fields. After VE Day he returned home and enjoyed watching his father work in his auto shop in Portishead where his love affair with automobiles began.

Dad attended Prior Park College in Bath and served in the Royal Army Services Corps until 1957. He worked for Newman Electric Motors and was transferred to Chicago, IL in 1959 where he met and married Mom in 1962. In 1963 he went to work for British Motor Cars in Seattle and became one of the most successful salesmen of British Cars in the U.S., garnering many top awards. We moved to Vashon in 1973. Dad retired from the auto industry in 2002 and puttered around the family farm.

Dad dearly loved his hound-dog, Bailey, Boxer dogs, photography, history, cats, writing and conversation. Most people will remember him for the latter, as he had many tales to tell! In 2010 he wrote his book “Oil In My Veins”. Dad was a gifted and interesting story teller and we will miss those.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, June 8th, at 12:30 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit on Vashon, followed by a reception also at the Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in his name to Vashon Island Pet Protectors or other Animal Rescue agency of your choice.

Dad is survived by daughter Elsa Nethercot and grandson Zachary Nethercot Sandoval of Knappa, Oregon and daughter Julia Fincher, her husband Joe and their son Jacob of Roy, Washington. He is also survived by many friends and family both in the U.S. and abroad. He never became a U.S. Citizen, although he dearly loved this country. As the song says “There’ll Always Be an England”. Dad was born a Brit, lived as a Yank, but went out as a Brit.

Dad, we miss you.

God Save the Queen!

Paid Obituary.