Stephen David Garbett 6th October 1951 – 7th September 2014 (Aged 62) Eulogy – written by Dave Garbett – Steve’s son. I know funerals are sombre occasions, but there are a couple of reasons we should be a little more cheerful today… My Dad hated funerals. He really did. And I can honestly say that he’d hate being at this one!! He wouldn’t want everyone making a fuss about him or getting all upset on his behalf because he wasn’t that sort of person. He’d want us to say our goodbyes, have a laugh and then go off and enjoy a beer. Of course we’ll get a bit upset, but we’ll also remember all the great stuff he’s done, and we will of course have the odd pint or two in his honour. My Dad went out as he would have wanted. Maybe a little sooner than he expected, but definitely as he would have wanted. When I say ‘as he would have wanted’, I mean ‘very quickly’. He made it clear that he’d never want to be a burden on anyone. A proud man who was at his best when people were relying on him, he certainly didn’t want to have to rely on others. So he got his wish for a quick exit. Now in the spirit of celebrating his life, I’m going to go through some of his likes, I don’t think I’ll have time to cover all of them and we certainly don’t have time to cover all his dislikes! In no particular order, we’ll start with Sport. To say that my Dad was into sport is a bit of an understatement. While my Mum will miss him dearly, what she won’t miss is Sky Sports’ 24/7. Back in the day though, he was definitely a participant. "The best footballer to come out of Miggy" has been said on more than one occasion by various old team mates. He loved football, cricket, rugby, fishing and the odd dabble on the horses - some of you out there will surely owe him for all the tips he's given you.....!? Now before I cover football, I want to talk about my Dad’s sense of humour. If there’s one thing everyone will remember about him, it’s his cutting dry wit – some will recall it fondly, others, not so fondly! I’ll never forget him answering the phone to cold callers and explaining to them that the tent roof wouldn't hold up the solar panels - or how he didn't need double glazing as he'd bricked up all his windows. My favourite though was when a "Daniel Da Silva" rang about my dads "accident" he'd yet to claim for. Dad went on to talk about how he had an uncle who was also called Silver, his uncle Long John....! He then went on to tell the guy that his uncle Long John also had had an accident - he tripped over his wooden leg and fell off the boat....... They never called back!! One of his oldest friends told me about when my dad helped Jeff Carr do the coal deliveries many moons ago as a "fill in job" between playing football. One of their friends, Albert Priestly, was a tailor. My Dad decided he'd ask him for a suit - and what a beaut it was - only problem was the trousers - they had one flared leg and one straight leg! After many words unrepeatable in a pub let alone a church, he decided he'd wear it for work - it's safe to say he was the smartest coal man in Yorkshire! So, back to football - you can see by the number of people here today, he was a popular guy, and I'd guess that the majority of you here will know him through football or at least sport in one way or another. My Dad had the honour of playing football for his country at schoolboy level, playing in teams that contained some great players of days gone by and it even took him (and mum) to the other side of the world, playing football in Australia. More recently he's been a football talent scout for the F.A. And so we’ve arrived at mum and, of course, family. Mum and Dad met all those years ago in the famous Miggy Arms - and have since conspired to be the best possible parents - and grandparents - imaginable. Family was no doubt the most important thing in his life. He always made every second count when with his granddaughter Sophie. He'd be laid on the sofa complaining that his back and ribs were aching, then Sophie would arrive and he'd be on his hands and knees playing horses. He never let his situation spoil his time with her. Mum, Amy and I, all have far too many fond memories of holidays, days out, and just spending time together to go into here. He did love to tease my mum and we’ve had some great laughs at her expense – but it was only a bit of fun, and we all know he loved her more than anything! It's testament to my dad today that so many of my friends are here - he wasn't just their friend’s dad, he was their friend too. Who of those that came to Jamaica with us, will ever forget "story time" at 4 o'clock at the pool bar! His stories would go on and on...... Speaking of going on and on...... Any of you ever asked for directions from him? It's quicker just to set off and follow your nose! To be fair to him, he did know how to get to most places, especially football grounds! He's probably visited more football grounds than most - although Scarborough Town was more of a challenge. It was a dark foggy night and dad was driving himself and Alan Hunt home, Hunty was asleep, dad woke him up and asked him to take over the driving as he thought he was lost. They were 3 mile out of Scunthorpe! In more recent years my Dad was a great friend and a supporter of Simon Grayson. He followed him from club to club during his playing days and also as a manager. He was never short of advice and Simon said he was sure sometimes that my dad was the professional manager! During these days of following Simons teams, my dad collected a whole host of cutlery, napkins and even a salt and pepper pot! He didn't know he was collecting, the lads would slip the items in his pockets without him knowing - I don't know how he didn't realise as he rattled and clunked when he walked! On one of these trips to a Leeds game, my dad and his good friend Nigel Walker stopped off at a restaurant. As they walked in, dad went to the toilet. 10 mins later when Nigel wanted the gents, he asked dad where they were, so dad very kindly pointed out the route for him to take, which Nigel swiftly took and ended up walking into the Kitchen!!! Knowing that dad had deliberately misguided him, Nigel, stopped to speak to the waitress before returning back to their table, dad asked what he’d said. Nigel said he had just apologised for wandering into the kitchen! (Which wasn't entirely true.) Then as planned, on completion of their main meal, the lights dimmed, the waitress appeared with a lovely sparkling desert to the tune of happy birthday and everybody in the restaurant joined in the celebration including my dad! Well he did until he realised; the waitress stopped at his table and presented him with the surprise that actually all the attention was for him! As expected he kindly thanked the lovely waitress whilst kicking Nigel under the table followed by a few choice words but they were in fits of laughter!! The number of people who have told us stories of how, when they were having any sort of difficulty, He, never publicly, would quietly take them aside and tell them that if they needed anything, just to let him know. Sometimes it would be a quiet word of encouragement, other times an offer to help out. For example: Even though he wasn't well, he still took the time to help out his brother-in-law with words of encouragement and a good kick up the bum when my Uncle Kevin was having dark days due to him receiving chemo. Another relevant example is when he found out that a good friend’s 9 year old boy, Daniel, had a brain tumour. My Dad couldn't bear the thought of a child going through the things he'd endured. Daniel’s family did some fund raising so they could take him to Disneyland - dad decided that he would speak to a good (and very generous) friend of his regarding a villa in Florida. My Dad paid for it for them so they could use their raised funds to really make that holiday, a holiday of a lifetime. Before I forget, I must mention work, my dad worked throughout his treatments, even to the point of going to work, nipping out to hospital for chemo, then go straight back to work - the Dr's just shook their heads in disbelief! He may have been a bit “grumpy” at work, but I think they all loved him really. Of course he was no latter day saint – far from it! No-one who used such cutting sarcasm and displayed such Victor Meldrewesque behaviour on a regular basis could be described as such. And no doubt, my Mum should be entitled to some sort of long service medal for having the patience of a saint through 40 years of marriage - although the wedding date had to be put back until the football season had finished! But I can say with absolute certainty that I’ve never met anyone more devoted to their family, anyone with more integrity, or who could be so solidly relied upon. I want to round off by reflecting on how we’ll remember my Dad. A husband, father, grandfather, big brother, uncle, and a special friend to many - some I've named here, many I have not, I'm sure lots of you have some great stories to tell from his childhood, from footy and from fishing, and I'd love to hear them in the club later or even in the coming weeks/months. So here’s to you, Dad. You’re the best father that anyone could possibly wish for and you’ll continue to live on in my heart and the hearts of those who loved you. [Thankyous.] The family would like to say a massive thank you for all the kind words, offers of help and support they have received since Steve's passing. The cards, gifts, texts, calls and messages have all been overwhelming, and it has helped them knowing how much you all cared for Steve. They would especially like to thank a close family friend for providing the catering for today, and their partner for organising this. This took another big pressure from them when they needed it the most and it is very much appreciated. And a special thank you to those that, in Steve's eyes, had the most important job of all, those who offered to look after Sophie so his family could share Steve's last precious days with him, and thereafter. The family will be eternally grateful knowing she was safely looked after. And finally thank you for your kind donations to prostate cancer uk. This is a charity Steve was passionate about and he would urge all you men to grab a leaflet on your way out and to read it. If the awareness from Steve's experience saved someone from going through what he went through, then he would be happy. If you haven't already and would like to make a donation to prostate cancer UK in Steve’s memory, then the collection boxes are at the back of the church.