On Friday, we said farewell to one of the greatest men I have ever known. One of the most caring, down to earth blokes you will ever meet. Gary was an amazing listener, he could listen to you for hours. He made everyone feel special. Everyone. He was friends with everyone he met. As his brother said "In Gary's world, there were no strangers. Only friends he hadn't met.". There isn't a truer statement. His friend said, "In a person's lifetime it's estimated they touch 50,000 lived. Gary probably touched close to 500,000 lives.". Gary was amazing, he remains amazing, sitting there in our hearts. I can just visualise him sitting in our hearts, his feet hanging over the edge.
I have never seen our church so full. All the pews were filled, with chairs in the aisles and all extra spaces. We had a screen outside the church showing the inside and people sitting outside. It's estimated 450-480 odd were at the service.
It was a truly great funeral. Gary would have loved it. It's just the sort of thing he would like as a send off. As the service progressed, I could feel myself healing. I love Gary. And I miss him, I'll keep missing him. But I haven't said goodbye. Just 'cya'. Cos I will see him, up in heaven. There'll be a huge table with food and beer and we'll all sit round it and talk and I'll get a hug and he'll call me the names darling and gorgeous he always called me. It's only goodbye for now.
Gary died on Monday the 25/06/2012 from an infection after fighting four bouts of cancer since 2005 and leukemia since July last year. He was the most devoted grandfather to his gorgeous granddaughter, Milana. I have never seen a prouder man. He loved his family, would always talk about them. Always said his brother chopped off the top of his finger when really he accidentally got it in the mower which his brother was holding. He was a laugh, was Gary. Gorgeous, gorgeous man. I love him.
Gary's favourite dress of mine was my yellow dress that Mum and I made, with the Peter Pan collar. Whenever I wear it, I think of him. Whenever I wore it to church he'd say "You're in my favourite dress again!", it made me feel so good. And here I am, sitting here typing with tears streaming down my face. I'm not going to forget Gary. Robyn from church told me I mustn't, and I know I won't.
Gary was brave, till the end. On the day he died, he told his lovely wife "I'm going today". When our rector went and saw him the Saturday before he died and did all the last rights, Gary asked after me. I feel so special and privileged that I was in his thoughts, right until the end. I miss him, so much. So much. It's still hard to accept that he is gone. We had a candle in church at the funeral and today, with his name tag and a Wests Tigers jumper of his hanging off the stand where he used to sit. I lit it and blew it out today. I'm glad it was me. I miss him. Beautiful, beautiful man. A tease too. :) When he found out about Frankie, he said something along the lines of "Aww, you're letting that young 'un teach you? I thought I was going to teach you the birds and the bees!" the silly billy. :P
Gary loved his West Tigers. Their team is going to remind me of him, just like it reminds me of Carmen at church as well.
I miss Gary. I love Gary. And I look forward to seeing him again in heaven.
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