Bad news.
I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but last night, at Bungay Balls Up, we lost Gary Blake. (You might know him as Gary Bighair or as half of Gary & Mandy.)
Gary was playing table tennis, and collapsed suddenly. Neither CPR nor the fast response paramedics could save him. It's scant consolation, but his last weekend was spent with his family, and his juggling family, relaxing on holiday, smiling and laughing, playing ping pong, poker, backgammon and Scrabble games in the cafe & big top.
He will be hugely missed by many people. If you want to post anything here, I will pass it on to Mandy.
I will any post details of a funeral service, etc, as soon as I hear.pic.twitter.com/sVtEnE7dou
— The Void (@TheVoidTLMB) May 30, 2016
I couldn't believe it when I heard this morning. I've been waiting for details all day hoping there was a mistake.
Love & best wishes to Mandy, Leo & Freya.
Bloody hell. Somewhat in shock and there are tears here in the house. Love to Mandy and kids.
other helen s - - Parent #
So sad and shocked to hear this, hard to take in. Sympathy to & thinking of Mandy & the kids.
Devastated. What a lovely man. My love, thoughts and best wishes to you Mandy, Leo and Freya.
Sorry to hear that.
I enjoyed my brief stay with you three in 2006, if Mandy remembers me, pass on my condolences.
Little Paul - - Parent #
I'm still having trouble getting my head around the fact that Garry, who I was happily talking to over my morning(ish) cup of tea less than 4 days ago is no longer with us.
I wasn't on site at the time he collapsed (having gone home a couple of days early) and I can't begin to imagine what it was like for those on the scene.
My thoughts are very much with Mandy and the kids, and with those who were there on the day and tried so hard to do their best for him.
My last memory of Garry is of him laughing and joking, and smiling that huge grin of his. I'm so lucky that's the last image I have of him, I'm genuinely upset by the thought that there are many of you whose last memories are much more traumatic.
Epic BBU hugs all round.
Devastating news. Really sorry to hear this. I've known Gary since he started at Milton Keynes juggling club twenty something years ago and chatted to him last at BJC where his kids were playing with mine. Our thoughts are very much with Mandy, Leo and Freya.
Nigel and Tracey
I don't know how to start on a post like this one.
It feels like I have known Garry for ever. We have been friends for around 20yrs. Our mutual love of poker, ping pong, port and pot ensured we spent a lot of time together at every convention we went to. You could not hope to meet a nicer person. His generosity, humour, patience and wit meant he was always a pleasure to spend time with.
I will never open a bottle of vintage port or play a game of table tennis in the future without wishing Garry was there to enjoy it with me.
Never again will a poker game feel full handed.
I draw much consolation from the fact Garry spent his last days here at Hulver farm surrounded by his friends doing the things he loved most.
He saw the firing of our most successful ever Trebuchet.
He saw Void's much deserved and overdue victory in the poker tournament.
He saw one of the best shows of buttercups ever.
I don't know what else to say other than love to Mandy and the kids.
RIP dear friend x
I am still struggling to come to terms with the sudden and tragic loss of another member of my close juggling family. Gary was one of the best - such a gentle, calm and caring guy, with a quick wit and always willing to lend a hand if needed. I will miss his mesmerising talent with a devilstick, our frequent chats at conventions and other gatherings, and even the inevitable thrashings at backgammon - I am sure I almost beat him once (I suspect he was half asleep at the time or playing with one hand tied behind his back!!). I was trying to remember where I first met him, I think it was Bemen EJC, or maybe even before that, i don't know for sure, he was just one of my friends that it seems I have just always known.
My heart goes out to the family he has left behind, especially to Mandy, Leo and Freya. They have been robbed way too soon of a doting husband and father. But I know that we, his wider juggling family, will do all that we can to support them both now and in the future, and keep his memory alive.
Goodnight, my friend, I will see you again one day in that big top on the other side.
Richard Loxley - - Parent #
I have just heard from Mandy that a provisional date has been set for the funeral in a few weeks time. It's still provisional subject to the completion of the post-mortem, but fairly firm.
I'm not going to post the full details on here until I've checked with Mandy, but the details have been shared amongst our friends on Facebook, so check on there or ask me if you want to know the details.
Love and hugs to everyone,
Richard
Richard Loxley - - Parent #
If you haven't yet been told the details of the funeral, please feel free to email me on temp3853@richardloxley.com and I'll forward the details to you.
That's a temporary email address that will reach me, but I'll deactivate it in a few weeks time to avoid getting spam by posting it on a public forum. If you send me an email I'll reply from my permanent email address.
There is a post on Mandy's profile on Facebook recording the number of people attending to help with planning. If you are not on Facebook you can also email me to say you'll be attending and I'll pass it on.
Richard Loxley - - Parent #
The provisional date for the funeral has now been confirmed as definite. If you haven't received the details through other channels please feel free to email me on temp3853@richardloxley.com and I'll send you the information.
If you are unable to attend and wish to pass on a message to be read out, or to be passed on to the family, please also feel free to email me.
Subscribe to this forum via RSS
1 article per branch
1 article per post