It’s common to say when people pass that they have a ‘heart of gold’ and ‘they will be a big miss’, Bryan is the epitome of a loving, kind and gentle soul who I will miss for the rest of my life. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, we were supposed to be sat laughing our backs off at each other over radge crime documentaries in our rocking chairs passing round the Werthers Originals.
When I had spinal surgery a year ago I was sent to a hospital in Washington to get it done quickly, during the period when I couldn’t walk, and needed to get to physio appointments Bryan drove from his work in Washington, to my house in Gateshead, picked me up, dropped me off at the hospital, waited for me, and then drove me back home and then drove back to work 5 minutes from the hospital. Bryan did that on multiple occasions and without him I don’t know what I would have done. The very epitome of a heart of gold and as bad as I felt about inconveniencing Bryan in my vulnerable state he made me feel good about it and he made it fun, bringing some much needed laughs in a time when I was housebound and lonely.
I will miss everytime we answered the phone we would do Chewbacca impressions, even if we were in public or a work situation we would do it under our breath which had us buckled laughing.
I remember when we were teenagers we’d go off to Whickham Park and sit on the bench watching the sun come up putting the world to rights and laughing, always laughing, big massive belly laughs. That’s Bryan.
It is said that people only die when there is nobody left to speak of them, to sing their song, I know I’ll not be the only person who will sing Bryan’s song for as long as we are able.
I love you brother, always, sat here crying typing this out but I know the tears and the pain won’t last forever as I will continue to sing your song and the memories of you when I’m missing you I will access and it will feel like one of your massive bear hugs. Love you big man, Gary. X
Gary Kelly:
29/01/2019