Another great guy gone…

I haven’t posted on here for a long time, bear with me.

We said goodbye to one of the best guys I’ve ever met yesterday, at the ridiculous age of 45. I met Garry one afternoon in 2008, when he walked into my workplace as a new fitter and within a few minutes we discovered that no only were we both MTBers (probably the only ones in a facility of about 600!) but that we both had Cotic Souls. He’d just got his and I don’t think he knew whether to laugh or cry!.

MTB, and a love for the mountains is what meant we grew to be great pals, had loads of fantastic times together (but not enough) and that shared love of bikes drew me back here. I don’t even think he posted on here, he wasn’t really big on talking about doing stuff, or social media. But I just felt the need to post.

I’ll miss him incredibly, this one has affected me more than even some of my family departing. I feel a huge amount of guilt that I hadn’t seen much of him for a time, I know he’d laugh at that and tell me to get a grip, but still.

Keep your mates close, look after yourself, and live life to the full.

All the best, Greg.

I’ll miss him incredibly, this one has affected me more than even some of my family departing. I feel a huge amount of guilt that I hadn’t seen much of him for a time, I know he’d laugh at that and tell me to get a grip, but still.

Ditto, got the headstone installed on Friday for my friend who passed away in Dec 2022 & still found myself welling up. Known him for over 40yrs yet still found out how much I didn’t know about him since he died and have been sorting out his affairs.

Sorry for your loss, take your time & enjoy the memories.

Sending manhug big fella.

horrible news Greg, I think I knew Garry from my Cotic Soul days 🙁

Big hug nobeer

still found myself welling up

Tell me about it, the older I get the worse I am at funerals, I really struggled to talk to his missus yesterday and I know her well, there was no way I could’ve spoken to his dad, I’d have been in bits.

His 13 year old son is a wee ray of light, hopefully he’ll grow up just like his dad.

Cheers Lowey, great to still see your adventures on faceboak mate, keep em coming.

Yeah, I’m sure you’d have met him @iainc, probably at a Drumlanrig ride or some other social.

@Nobeerinthefridge

Nice to see you posting but I’m so sorry to read the reason why. Greg sounds like he was a great bloke and will be missed by many.

@Dickyboy

Similar sentiments to the above my friend, my thoughts are with you and your friends family.

Agreed, sounds like you’re doing an awesome thing by your friend there Dickyboy, well done sir.

Thank you for the above sentiments, it’s been quite a strung out business 😕

Definitely getting more emotional as I age, years ago I used to wonder why people cry watching films, recently found myself bawling my eyes out on a long haul flight after watching a slightly sad film…

kind words Greg, for a great bloke and mate by the sounds of it.

keep well mucker.

You too big fella, Heartened to see you and your good lady’s adventures too, fantastic my friend.

Tell me about it, the older I get the better I am at funerals, I really struggled to talk to his missus yesterday and I know her well, there was no way I could’ve spoken to his dad, I’d have been in bits.

Ftfy. Losing people is desperately  sad. Showing that grief is good, its shows everyone else its okay to be absolutely devastated.

joshvegas makes a good point. Funerals are bloody horrible, unnatural, difficult events, but, from my experience anyway, no one judges anyone at a funeral, not being able to speak is perfectly understandable. For me personally, the important thing that makes a difference, isn’t the funeral but people being around and getting in touch in the days/weeks/months afterwards – I’m sure his wife and dad would appreciate a follow up and a chat in due course and hope that it’d help you as well.

all the best.

Rubbish news, sorry for the loss.

this one has affected me more than even some of my family departing. I feel a huge amount of guilt that I hadn’t seen much of him for a time

This resonates with me also. A friend passed 3 weeks ago and I was a bit of a mess at the funeral last week. They played some music and showed photos, at which point I lost it into a snivelling mess (of course I needed the tissues I decided I wouldn’t beforehand).

I’m still coming to terms with my grief, being probably greater than when my dad died for someone I knew for a lot less time and spent less time with. But its about the attachment, the commonalities, the admiration. I loved my Dad of course, but he was my dad and I knew the bad sides (his fatherly temper) as well as the good. The Pete I knew I aspired to be (he was ~13 years older than me) – his adventures, his personality, as a biker, as a dad and family man. 60 was no age to go these days, he had so much more to do.

EDIT: In true “don’t know what you’ve got ’til its gone”, of course I wish I’d spent more time with Pete. But his funeral was well attended for a reason – I’m know I’m far from the only one to have been affected by his time on earth.

My neighbour, one of the most decent and loving people I’ve ever known, passed away last Monday after a long battle with a brain injury. He and his entire family have become real friends since we moved here in 2012. Fantastic with our kids and just generally amazing people. It has hit me harder than I thought it would.

Big internet hugs to everyone.

Josh/jimfrandisco that’s very true, of course you’re correct.

Jimmy, take care mate, it just shows that you’re a good guy.

FMP, thanks buddy, I’m sure your friend was lucky to have you.

Been a long time, forgot the amount of really good people there is on here. ❤️

Sorry about the circumstances but good to hear from you Nobeer

You too Gordimhor.

Sorry you’re hurting OP.

Hard as it is,try to share those Garry stories you have ,whenever you can,with the people that knew him.

It will take a wee while,but somewhere down the line ,you will be  laughing/smiling more than crying.

All the best.

Cheers FH, hope you’re keeping well buddy.