Eddie's funeral
Tue May 01, 2012 7:27 pm
As everyone on here pretty much knows, yesterday was Eddie's funeral. I was privileged to of sat thru it all and it was how it should of been, all about Eddie, it wasnt religious, it was instead not far off an A to Z of his life. Marlene (eddie's partner) popped down to see me this morning and we were saying how well it, when she mentioned how touched she was by all the support from our fans. So i said i would try and explain just how the event went on. so here is a brief description, if anyone was there, please feel free to add to this.
the coffin was brought into the crematorium which is situated on the edge of barry. the actual room could only hold 100 seats, so after we were seated, any extra seats were quickly snapped up by people still in entrance. there was still a big crowd outside watching in, including ex players, friends, and others, inculding malky. Eddie's coffin was brought into the room by ex players to "unchained melody" by the righteous brothers. the humanist celebrant (lorraine barrett) then welcomed us all, explaining how a humainst funeral goes on. id never been on 1 before i will never forget this 1.
the 1st person to stand up to speak was richard sheppard, who pretty much didnt leave a crack unturned explaining eddies career from working as a butchers for his dad to his last job at porthcawl, wikipidea had nothing on him. then a personal poem written for the occasion was read out by the author and close friend of eddie, marianne jones. by this point it was clear this wasnt a normal funeral, it was far more personal than anything i seen before and the same time alot more relaxed. then as eddies step daughter, harriet raybould, got up the front with her 2 friends lucy jones and juan lorenzo. this had most in tears and fair play that girl can sing. next up was john walters and he gave a real insight as to what kind of man eddie was, explaining how he would keep a squad motiatived and his driven passion which was additicive to be around. then there was a quiet reflection to which the tv screens, ran pictures of eddie to 'my heart will go on' by celine dion
next was when this forum really came into action. alot of us put tributes up on here under his topic. there was 6 pages full, and at least a dozen was read out to everyone. 1 of the main observations by this point was how much cardiff was being mentioned, he may of touched our lives, but we definatly touched his. next roger gibbin stepped up and talked about the dream team, 91-92 close, 92-93 the squad, 93-94 the cup run,then nessun dorma was played before his close friend robert gave his memories and personal stories which had everyone laughing loud. like i keep saying this was no normal funeral. then finally marlene stepped up and took over. she gave a deep but same time humorous account of how it was to live with eddie for 20 plus years. then tearfully saying her goodbyes to him before the curtain closed and it was time to go.
as strange as a statement this will be, but this was the best funeral ive ever been to. everyone was emotional but same point relaxed enough to laugh. cardiff was mentioned neally as much as eddie's name and clear we meant alot to him. i got to aplogise for my spelling and im never goint o make it as a journalist i know that. lucky i make a decent cuppa, but i hope u understood most if not parts of this. just to give u an idea on how great a send off this truely was.
the coffin was brought into the crematorium which is situated on the edge of barry. the actual room could only hold 100 seats, so after we were seated, any extra seats were quickly snapped up by people still in entrance. there was still a big crowd outside watching in, including ex players, friends, and others, inculding malky. Eddie's coffin was brought into the room by ex players to "unchained melody" by the righteous brothers. the humanist celebrant (lorraine barrett) then welcomed us all, explaining how a humainst funeral goes on. id never been on 1 before i will never forget this 1.
the 1st person to stand up to speak was richard sheppard, who pretty much didnt leave a crack unturned explaining eddies career from working as a butchers for his dad to his last job at porthcawl, wikipidea had nothing on him. then a personal poem written for the occasion was read out by the author and close friend of eddie, marianne jones. by this point it was clear this wasnt a normal funeral, it was far more personal than anything i seen before and the same time alot more relaxed. then as eddies step daughter, harriet raybould, got up the front with her 2 friends lucy jones and juan lorenzo. this had most in tears and fair play that girl can sing. next up was john walters and he gave a real insight as to what kind of man eddie was, explaining how he would keep a squad motiatived and his driven passion which was additicive to be around. then there was a quiet reflection to which the tv screens, ran pictures of eddie to 'my heart will go on' by celine dion
next was when this forum really came into action. alot of us put tributes up on here under his topic. there was 6 pages full, and at least a dozen was read out to everyone. 1 of the main observations by this point was how much cardiff was being mentioned, he may of touched our lives, but we definatly touched his. next roger gibbin stepped up and talked about the dream team, 91-92 close, 92-93 the squad, 93-94 the cup run,then nessun dorma was played before his close friend robert gave his memories and personal stories which had everyone laughing loud. like i keep saying this was no normal funeral. then finally marlene stepped up and took over. she gave a deep but same time humorous account of how it was to live with eddie for 20 plus years. then tearfully saying her goodbyes to him before the curtain closed and it was time to go.
as strange as a statement this will be, but this was the best funeral ive ever been to. everyone was emotional but same point relaxed enough to laugh. cardiff was mentioned neally as much as eddie's name and clear we meant alot to him. i got to aplogise for my spelling and im never goint o make it as a journalist i know that. lucky i make a decent cuppa, but i hope u understood most if not parts of this. just to give u an idea on how great a send off this truely was.
Re: Eddie's funeral
Tue May 01, 2012 7:35 pm
a great man for always down the CITY. 
RIP
RIP
Re: Eddie's funeral
Tue May 01, 2012 8:27 pm
Thank you Nino, very sorry I was unable to attend the funeral but I will never forget Eddie May and I am sure thousands of City fans won't either.
Saturday at Palace, there was chanting of Eddie May's Barmy Army, the man had an affinity with City fans
Saturday at Palace, there was chanting of Eddie May's Barmy Army, the man had an affinity with City fans
Re: Eddie's funeral
Tue May 01, 2012 9:10 pm
Don't worry mate, I know ud luv to of been there if u could. The interview from the questions on here,was his last interview he ever done. He was in his element answering every question put in front of him. He was as gutted as we were when it had to end. His birthday is may 19th. A sign ?