A GOSPEL choir greeted hundreds of mourners who attended a poignant service to celebrate the life of Stroud artist Pete Morris yesterday.

Friends and family were welcomed by the vicar of St John the Baptist in Randwick, the Rev Brian Woollaston.

Mr Woollaston said that as Pete, 29, and his family, his mother Wendy and father Andy and sisters Abbie and Bekki are Christians, the service was about giving him back into God’s safekeeping.

After the Gospel Touch Choir sang Bridge Over Troubled Water, Pete’s father Andy spoke to the packed congregation.

“We are as a family devastated,” he said.

“I always thought of my children and my grandchildren as precious jewels.

“We have lost one of our jewels for a while but I know that he is in safekeeping.”

A tribute from his two sisters read by Bekki’s husband spoke of the incredibly close bond the family, from Randwick, shared.

It read: “We both loved him more than you could ever know and growing up we were constantly in each other’s company.

“There are so many happy memories that we all have.

“We don’t know how this will work out Pete, a piece of us has gone forever and it will never be the same.”

Abbie’s husband went on to read tributes from his friends which had been sent to the family.

“One thing which all the tributes have in common is that he was such a loyal, kind and caring friend,” he said.

“He was there in times of need and many wrote in about their hilarious, ridiculous memories of Pete and his infectious laugh.”

In his address to the congregation Colin Garnett, who had known Pete since he was seven, and who led the service, said: “We are left here prematurely and temporarily robbed of Pete’s presence but in all these trials, tragedies and tears God has not forsaken us.”

The service finished with a prayer by Mr Woollaston: “We cannot fathom of the anguish that he may have gone through, forgive us.”

On the back of the order of service from Pete’s funeral a hazy picture shows him looking back as he walks into the distance.

Words written below say: ‘Memories are made of this, don’t look back and feel the pain. There’s a future straight ahead of you, feel the good when you’re standing in the rain.’

Pete, who died on September 7, was laid to rest in the grounds of the church.