It is my unfortunate duty to inform you all of the passing of a fellow paintballer. Gary Collins (Gaz77) passed away last Monday suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 30. For those of you who aren’t sure who he was, Gary played for Karnage at the IPL and UK Masters having begun playing with Bad Company at the IPL and was well liked by all who knew him.
His wife Lisa-Jane called me on Wednesday evening to let me know. Gary also had a 4 year old daughter named Mia.
To say I was shocked would be an understatement and even today a week later and having attended his funeral on Friday I still can’t believe he’s gone. Lisa Jane had wanted the funeral to be a fairly private affair, but knew that Gary would have wanted his team there and both Karnage and BC obliged by attending. Karnage gave him the send off he’d have wanted and carried him from the hearse to the grave in their team tops. I’d like to say that took more courage than a lot of people could muster but they were dignified and respectful and Gary’s entire family were grateful for the gesture. It would have meant the world to him as I know next to his immediate family, paintball was his life.
I had been asked to hold off on putting anything on here or facebook but was asked to phone around the people who Gary would have wanted to be at his funeral which was in one way a very difficult thing to ask or be asked, and in another I was privileged to be considered by his wife for the task. I’ve also been asked by Lisa-Jane to pass on her thanks for the messages of condolence.
On a personal note, Gary was one of the best. A rare gem who went out of his way on many occasions to help out fellow paintballers. All at Anarky Paintball were proud to be associated with him and Ali flew back from work in Wales to be there for the service.
RIP mate.
His wife Lisa-Jane called me on Wednesday evening to let me know. Gary also had a 4 year old daughter named Mia.
To say I was shocked would be an understatement and even today a week later and having attended his funeral on Friday I still can’t believe he’s gone. Lisa Jane had wanted the funeral to be a fairly private affair, but knew that Gary would have wanted his team there and both Karnage and BC obliged by attending. Karnage gave him the send off he’d have wanted and carried him from the hearse to the grave in their team tops. I’d like to say that took more courage than a lot of people could muster but they were dignified and respectful and Gary’s entire family were grateful for the gesture. It would have meant the world to him as I know next to his immediate family, paintball was his life.
I had been asked to hold off on putting anything on here or facebook but was asked to phone around the people who Gary would have wanted to be at his funeral which was in one way a very difficult thing to ask or be asked, and in another I was privileged to be considered by his wife for the task. I’ve also been asked by Lisa-Jane to pass on her thanks for the messages of condolence.
On a personal note, Gary was one of the best. A rare gem who went out of his way on many occasions to help out fellow paintballers. All at Anarky Paintball were proud to be associated with him and Ali flew back from work in Wales to be there for the service.
RIP mate.
