BN- A MOTORBIKE-mad dad took his final journey in a fitting fashion – a sidecar hearse followed by 100 bikers. The family of tragic Andy ...
BN- A MOTORBIKE-mad dad took his final journey in a fitting fashion – a sidecar hearse followed by 100 bikers.
The family of tragic Andy Gordon, 54, had made a plea online for fellow bikers to follow the lead bike in a final tribute to the father-of-three.
Andy drowned after going for a swim in an extreme current off the Isle of Skye – his favourite place – following a biker rally last month.
And bikers from across the UK followed the coffin as it made the 13-mile journey from his hometown of Tranent to Mortonhall Crematorium.
As well as having a love for bikes, Andy was a big rock fan and described as a “cheeky chappy” and a “party animal” by those who knew him.
He had specifically requested that the full eight-minute version of Led Zeppelin’s iconic Stairway to Heaven be played in its entirety at his funeral. The opening and closing song was Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven.
Mourners at his funeral service also listened to Please Remember by LeAnn Rimes as part of a loving tribute from his wife Angela.
The rocker and biker was a farm worker for the majority of his life before becoming a self-employed gardener.
Andy was a grandad-of-three and father to three daughters, Sharon, Claire and Caroline. It would have been his 33rd wedding anniversary with Angela tomorrow.
His family and friends were too upset to talk but spoke through humanist celebrant Ivan Middleton.
He said: “It is my privilege to pay tribute to this loving, generous and kind man.
“His family told me that sometimes he could be a cheeky chappy and a bit of a party animal as well.
“He was quick-witted and always had a response to the banter that was going on around him. His friends told me how fun a guy he was and how easy-going he was.
“He would always laugh at their jokes. Everyone who knew Andy well will miss his magical, hysterical laughter.
“Sometimes he could laugh so much that he would need to use his inhaler to prevent an asthma attack.
“His wife Angela told me that there wasn’t a day that went by when he didn’t make her smile.
“She has asked me to end this tribute with these heartfelt words ‘I love you Andy, I miss you and I always will’.”
The family also asked for a collection on behalf of the local community on the Isle of Skye as a way of thanking them for their assistance in trying to find Andy.
Source: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/sidecar-hearse-and-100-bikers-at-andy-gordon-funeral-1-3911045
