1949-2010
A few years ago I met a couple of wonderful guys from Carlisle here on the
dark side of Pattaya. Nicky Falconer and Stuart Alexander had been friends
from their school days in England and had been pretty much inseparable ever
since. Their adventures took them all over the world and many a yarn was
shared, in many a bar, over many a glass on many a night. Not always
remembered the morning after but usually recounted again at some later
stage. Their customary greeting was a slap on the back and a warm “Hello
Son.”
Nicky
Falconer
1949-2010
In their working lives they differed hugely. Stuart
taught in Carlisle all his life while Nicky made his fortune in many
different fields from hotels and nightclubs, with Stuart moonlighting as a
bouncer, to beds, selling them that is, in a number of countries but mainly
in Spain where he lived for a number of years before settling in Thailand.
Like many double acts they were also quite different
characters. Nicky was the tall handsome, somewhat reserved one while Stuart
was the larger than life, jolly raconteur, but they were great company.
Then, about two years ago in a bar in Pattaya, Stuart
suffered a massive heart attack and died in Nicky’s arms. Nicky was overcome
with grief but, as his only close friend in Thailand, he was left to attend
to Stuart’s affairs. Stuart’s passing left a huge chasm in Nicky’s life. Not
only had he lost his best friend but also the other half of the act. He
literally had to start again.
Over the next year, although he was still a very private
person, we all got closer to him, and I believe he found a new confidence.
As well as opening up personally he also opened a golf bar with his
girlfriend Panita. Nicky was never one to sit still for long as could be
seen by the way he created the bar, no detail was too small to get his full
attention and it was clear that this energy and enthusiasm was key to his
success in business. It is a reflection of his hard work and popularity that
has made Panitas the success it is today.
Nicky was also a brave man and when cancer was tragically
diagnosed nine months ago he fought it hard. So determined was he that only
four weeks after losing a lung he was out on the golf course at his favorite
Siam Country Club.
Sadly courage was not enough and Nicky Falconer lost his
battle at home in England with his family around him on Friday 17th
December. He was only sixty one. Our sympathies go out to all his many
friends and family and particularly to his mum and daughter who it was my
pleasure to meet on their visit here just prior to his return home, and to
Jayn who I know loved him dearly.
We shall miss him too, particularly his Siam members
golfing group from the bar, his many friends from the bars around the lake,
the staff and caddies at Siam, the pool team, Geoff Couch who has known him
longest out here, Claude Heuza who was an original member of the Friday
Moules Club at Jean-Claude’s, dear Cathy Doody who helped him so much in his
last days in Thailand and selflessly accompanied him on his final flight
home, his lovely Panita who misses him more than we can know, and of course
me.
If Nicky has made it to another place there’s one large
person who surely will be there to greet him with glass in hand, a smile a
mile wide, and a welcoming “Hello Son”.
God bless you Nicky.
- Mickey Leighton
On Friday 7th January we are gathering to celebrate
Nicky’s life at Panitas Bar from 6.30pm. All will be most welcome.
