Quite incredible. The number of mourners present went into overflow mode, lining all the walls of the service hall apart from filling all the pews. In fact I arrived half-an-hour early and it was just as well as I doubt otherwise I’d have been able to find a parking spot. I arrived as a snow flurry started.
Many of the mourners sported Villa colours … including myself, so in that respect at least, I felt like one of the group. However – sad to say – there were no faces I recognised, until a few minutes before entry, when I spotted a dog and decided that must be Bella. There were two dogs there and I happened to choose the right one. Bella, looking totally perplexed, was accompanied by a very pleasant young lady who I found to be Gary’s niece, who then led me to meeting her mother Linda, Gary’s sister. Thereupon I took opportunity to present her with the Memorial which you all contributed to so well, passed on your sincere condolences, and left her. At that moment, Dean (ST75) arrived with other pallbearers, Dean looking very distraught. But he saw me and managed a smile and a thumbs-up.
But this was clearly going to be a very challenging day for him.
They then carried the coffin into the hall; Dean, in advance, had kindly asked me to keep close to his group, so I followed in directly behind Gary’s family, and – as it happened – found myself sitting in the second row of the pews directly behind Dean. He was alone in his thoughts, his hand propping up his head. All I could do was to pat his back.
The Irish vicar led the commemoration fairly well, but there was the odd moment when the sound of Gary’s favourite music threatened to drown out the tributes of his family and friends. Linda (Gary’s sister) gave the opening tribute, describing all Gary’s fine characteristics, but still managing to say that he could be “a sod”! Then two of Gary’s Steamer friends (I imagine) stood up to recall Gary and the times they shared, causing some laughter. And, finally, Dean, who for a minute or so just could not bring himself to speak. Then one of the previous speakers came up and stood with Dean, and put his arm round Dean’s shoulder. Dean was then able to compose himself and, indeed, managed to produce a fine – and amusing – tribute. Including the time when Gary’s car managed to break down next to the Doug Ellis Stand at Villa Park! Gary – it seems – was not amused by that. Dean did well to encapsulate what had clearly been a very close friendship, with Dean recalling how the two of them often went supermarket shopping together with one trolley, and gaining attention because of that – people thinking they were an “odd couple”!
Finally, the vicar led Bella to the coffin, and there said a prayer, bringing the master and his faithful friend together for the last time. A touching moment, but Bella still looked perplexed.
After each of these events – the tributes and a prayer for Gary and Bella – there was warm applause.
After a final prayer, the half-an-hour remembrance ended, and we filed out, led by Dean and Gary’s family. The last I saw of Dean was he walking slowly off with Bella for a lone walk through the gardens. Not seeing anyone I could recognise, I departed.
The final version of the Memorial from AVL can be seen here: http://www.lerwill-life.org.uk/astonvilla/Steamer%20-%20AVL%20memorials.pdf
The Author
John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.Comments 19
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Thank you
that’s a lovely insight into the day. beautifully said.
very emotional.
Yes Darren id like to see 442 tomoz with no jack to play in behind the front 2 or jedi to sit in front of back 4.
what must happen is hourihan and Lansbury allowed to dominate the midfield.
think the Viking may play the jedi role? please not Lansbury!
rest in love Steamer see you on the other side brother
Thank you JL for your very moving report on “Steamer’s” funeral. It makes up a little for not being there to share in the celebration of his life.
Let us now hope that the team tomorrow will give a performance deserving of the support of the “Steamers” and AVL, and the whole of the Aston Villa family.
John
I think it is fair to say you represented all of us who couldn’t attend.
Cheers.
So villa have 4 home games in 18 days. I will judge after that
Looks like reading all the various bits from the mail on Bruce, press conference and Dr Tony’s tweets, that Bruce, having been totally gobsmacked that the management team managed to get him all his targets in ONE window, that he has been told ” It is now your turn, get on with it, and nothing less than a play-off place will be satisfactory!”.
Xia, seems to be very clear that he is still on course for his original plan. He has given Bruce the tools, and he MUST produce the goods. Bruce is very clear in stating that the play-offs are his only object. If he fails to reach that position, then he will be relieved of his duties.
It also seems to be clear that he intends to use all the new signiings in a 3-5-2 formation, with Hogan and Kodjia upfront.
From tomorrow onwards it is going to be a do or die mentality for all. Failure is not acceptable in the Dr’s eyes, so do not be fooled by the “it may take another season. He has put his money on the line for Bruce, and he must produce the goods NOW!
Paul, I think you have something there to be honest.
The Chinese do have a ruthless streak – and I don’t say that nastily or as a bigot. My wife and her family (from Malaysia) know the Chinese mentality from there, and would not be surprised at what you say.
Good afternoon each,
Went to Gary’s funeral this morning, I was not surprised by the turnout. a well liked man who will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.
I saw old freinds today that I haven’t seen for… maybe 30 years in some cases. No changes everyone one is exactly the same, we’re all just that bit older now but still young at heart.
Regarding our team, one or two of us agreed today that we’re just not ready yet. Next season we’ll take that division apart. I think thats our objective.
Archie
thanks JL sorry I couldn’t get there today,in truth it still feels unreal hope st75 can get his head in the right place can be harder to lose a good friend than family sometimes.
pp
i hope you are right
Archie,
Sorry not to have seen you! Perhaps we should have had special AVL placards printed to identify ourselves!
Thank you for providing us with such a detailed report of Steamer’s funeral JL, and for creating the Memorial. It is good to know that the event was so well attended and I hope that is a source of comfort to his family and friends.
John, I was the one in the purple suede shoes who looked years younger than those with me, ;-)(I’ll get battered when they read that)
Archie
i unfortunately could not make today and am gutted to have missed garry’s send off being a great mate but i work with people with alzheimer’s now and one guy i see had a bad turn at 6 this morning so had to go at7 this morning been there all day as getting a doctor is almost impossible have to talk to him about things he did when younger but the guy is a lot younger than me in fact only 58 but people get this horrible disease as young as 35 although i had booked the day off there was no one else who knows him to deal with him as he does not know who his wife is and seems to only react to mail company
so i had to miss garry’s send off but to all who went and i know there where plant to pay there respects to a great guy .
going back to today having to go just shows the complete lack of social care that is around and is quite frankly a disgrace could work 24 hours a day if i could as for the villa tomorrow for me lose and sput has to go so think we will win as he knows he is in the last chance saloon .
great piece about Garry john which i could have been there but simply could not be
know the above is hard to read but just got in after 12 hours and knackered
A great write up John.
No doubt steamer will be sadly missed by so many.
John,
I admire the work you seem to do – I didn’t know that was your area of work, but I admire you for your dedication. Wonderful.
I wish we had governments like you – i.e. had some sense.