 By Katrina Doran.
On Sunday 26th June 2011 Gareth 'Gurty' Dickson (28) passed away in his sleep.
He was loved dearly by his friends and family, adored by all who knew him, and he left a lasting impression on everyone who encountered him. With over 3000 fans and thousands of tributes posted on his tribute page on facebook a quick scan of the posts illustrate just how much Gurty meant to everyone.
The manager of the Toni & Guy salon owner on the Lisburn Road – Gareth was the epitome of the term 'bright young thing'.
Gareth didn't have a funeral – he had a finale! A whole new term was needed just for Gurty – as he was 'outstanding - on a global scale!'
It was the most incredible 'finale' I've ever been too – a mix of absolute devastation, gut-wrenching tears, peels of laughter and fabulous memories.
In a packed St Anne's Cathedral Gareth would have loved to see all his friends and family so fabulously turned out. Gareth's family requested attendees not to wear black to mark the occasion as Gareth would have wanted it – as a celebration of his life and there was an abundance incredibly well-groomed, handsome young men and chic, stylish gals.
As the coffin was carried into the cathedral Madonna's 'Hung Up' brought everyone to their feet – the music filling the room up to the eaves. DJ John Kearns took the microphone for the introduction "Please be upstanding for the outstanding Gareth Dickson". We immediately burst into applause for a standing ovation – it was an entrance Gareth would have reveled in. It lifted everyone's hearts for a brief moment. It was, as Gurty would have said, "Amazeballs!"
The service was beautiful, with sincere poems, readings and songs from Gareth's closest friends. Alan Boyce, owner of Toni & Guy Ireland and Gareth's boss gave a speech that had the whole room in tears and filled with laughter.
A video montage from BBC's 'Goes the distance' showed Gareth's amazing achievement of running the Belfast Marathon. It may have taken him over 7 hours (with lots of facebook updates as he ran) but he did it!
The ceremony ended with an incredible version of Lady Gaga's Born this way – played on piano and flute.
The funeral procession walked behind the coffin from St Anne's and paused outside the Kremlin – stopping traffic as Donegal Street. The funeral cortege moved on to Roselawn Crematorium with drinks and 'bubbles' at the Fitzwilliam Hotel afterwards.
RIP Gareth - a bright light has gone out in Belfast but a star is now sparkling in heaven.
"Gareth 'Gurty' was undoubtedly one in a million. A great friend, confidant, inspiration and above all else a kind hearted person. I've never met anyone who had a bad word to say about Gurty. He was welcomed everywhere and engaged with everyone. I'll miss my shining star but I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand."
Chris Love
"Gareth was my partner in crime and in life we done everything together myself Ryan and him, if we didn't see each other we spoke three or four times a day on the phone sent many texts and had a friendship most people would never achieve. He had a unique personality, humour and love for everyone - that it has now left a big void in my life that I know will never be replaced."
John McLean
"What can I say? I can confidently say that I have never met anyone quite like Gareth. Generous to a fault, never judgmental and persistently seeing only the good in everyone. 'Holding on to bitterness and dislike will give you cancer' was his usual quip in response to me sounding off! Hardly surprising that after his death, we discovered that his friends ranged from church ministers to drag queens, from old ladies to teenagers.
Gareth was the reason I went out most weekends - my party mate - staying in was not allowed in Gareth's world - "far too dull"!! My world has now become a much duller place without him but our loss is most certainly heaven's gain. "
Tracey Hall
"Gareth Dickson was such a loveable person, so full of fun, a real ray of sunshine. He had a special way with people whatever age or walk of life he could relate to them all and he certainly left a lasting impression with anyone he ever met. No matter where in the world we where we were always on the phone carrying on - the only thing not funny was my phone bills! In which he joked I could of paid for his flight twice over- I wish I had! I will miss him terribly but I feel so lucky to have met him and been part of his life and will always think of him with such fond memories."
Sarah Moore.
Photo top left by Kelvin Boyes at Press Eye take at Fate Awards 2011.
Photography at Gareth's Finale by Robin Cordiner.
|
