My name is Adam Quirke and I knew Steve best during the mid 1980s when, as business partners, we were co-proprietors of ‘The Gym’ in South Gosforth. For a time I was part of his social circle and became a member of his very tight friendship group which had been together since school (Vietch, Rudd, Micky, Tanta, Midge, Touche, Tim, Pete). Only entering the fray much later when I joined Steve at The Gym, I was the outsider at first but, for a short time, did form what felt like strong friendships not only with Steve but with other members of his group. Unfortunately what was, for me at least, a halcyon period, did not last. The Gym was sold in March 1987 and Steve and I became estranged around this time (looking back I have to hold my hands up and acknowledge that responsibility for this was primarily mine - although at the time I didn’t see it that way) and have had almost nothing to do with one another since. My life has long since taken me away from Newcastle and I was completely unaware of Steve’s situation until last night (6th February)when my younger brother, Nick, notified me that Steve had passed. I have been really upset by this news; was truly sorry to learn what Steve had gone through. Horrific for him and horrific for his family with whom I was also loosely acquainted back in the day. My sincerest condolences also go to his partner whom I don’t know and who will not know me. Heaven knows what she has gone through. Notwithstanding the fact that Steve and I fell out and have, therefore, had nothing to do with one another for over 30 years, I would still insist - what a fantastic lad he was. A real personality who was very committed to his friends (people like Rudd, Veitch, Micky, Tuchar, Midge - because, back then, these were his core friends). We had oh so many laughs, shared so many nice moments in pubs (The Bacchus being one), down the good old Simla!!, ‘chewing on the fat’ in The Gym with our colourful clientele., etc. Yeah - I am very sad about this.
Adam Quirke:
07/02/2020
