IN REMEMBRANCE OF OUR NEIGHBOUR MALCOLM METCALF

We would like to pay a heartfelt tribute to our dear English neighbour in Pueblo de la Luz, Malcolm Metcalf, who passed away on 29 May at Marina Salud Hospital in Dénia, aged 78. May he rest in peace.

We also hope that Malcolm’s passing will be a gentle reminder of the many elderly international residents of Cumbre del Sol who live alone. We encourage anyone who needs support to ask neighbours or the council’s social services for help. We also ask all residents to keep an eye out for those around them, as some elderly people may be quietly struggling and in need of care, company or assistance.

After the death of his beloved wife, Maureen, four years ago, Malcolm lived alone with his dog Sam, who also passed away two years ago. Maureen’s death affected him deeply, and life became much quieter for him. Malcolm increasingly chose a life of solitude, softened by brief but warm chats with neighbours and friends he met on the staircase. He often declined our invitations to spend Christmas or New Year’s Eve together, preferring to stay at home.

In the 1980s, Malcolm and Maureen came from England with their six poodles and settled first in Cumbre del Sol, then in Benitatxell, and later returned to Cumbre del Sol. They were entrepreneurs who built several second-hand furniture shops in the village from scratch and made a success of them through hard work and dedication. There was little time for leisure in those days.

Their hard work gave them some security, which they later used to help Malcolm’s sister with medical treatment at a specialist cancer centre in the USA.

After they retired, Malcolm and Maureen lived in Pueblo de la Luz, in a mid-floor apartment of one of the housing blocks, which meant climbing many stairs. Malcolm used to joke that not even burglars would be interested in breaking into a place like that. In recent years, we helped him carry his shopping and gas bottles upstairs. Over the past few months, his condition had been getting worse, and he had to sit down on the steps to rest on his way home

They had no close family, only a few English friends whom they saw occasionally when they came on holiday. We have informed them of his passing.

Maureen and Malcolm always remembered our birthdays. At Easter and Christmas, we would find little surprise gifts waiting at our front doors. They were always thoughtful towards our pets, too.

Malcolm enjoyed playing the organ and the guitar, although his fingers had not allowed him to play for several years. A few years ago, he donated his electronic organ to the municipal music school. When the mayor came to thank him and asked whether the donation could be made public, Malcolm declined. That was very much his way: quiet, generous and modest.

He was very dear to us, a loyal donor to Cumbre Cats and a supporter of One Voice for Cumbre del Sol (OVFC).

As next-door neighbours, we kept a close eye on him and helped him however we could. He never wanted to be a burden to anyone and only asked for help when it was absolutely necessary.

On 25 May, we called the police and an ambulance after he had not collected the shopping left outside his front door and did not answer. He had not been seen for several days, and we then realised how serious his condition had become.

At Marina Salud Hospital in Dénia, the doctors confirmed that he was gravely ill. His liver had been failing and he was suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer. At that stage, nothing could be done except keep him comfortable.

In his final days, Malcolm received palliative care. He was unconscious for much of the time, breathing slowly and appearing peaceful. Tuesday 26 May was the last day we were able to speak to him for a few minutes. He recognised us and thanked us for looking out for him.

Malcolm was not formally religious and did not want a funeral to be held for Maureen, so we believe he would not have wanted one for himself either. For that reason, there will be no public funeral. Anyone who would like to express their condolences is welcome to leave a comment below this post.

We have notified the council’s social services, the local police and the British Consulate of his passing. Social services are in contact with the hospital and the funeral parlour. Any further updates of interest will be posted at the end of this post.

Dear Malcolm, we are grateful that our paths crossed. We will miss you. You are gone, but you will always be in our hearts.

A big hug to Maureen and Sam.

Your neighbours,

Marianne and Pepe, Alexandra and Rafał, Clémence and Sacha