Hundreds attend funeral of popular Ryan (From Stroud News and Journal)

Hundreds attend funeral of popular Ryan

4:11pm Tuesday 10th November 2009

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THE FUNERAL of teenager Ryan Stewart took place at a packed All Saints Church in Bisley on Thursday.

More than 400 friends and relatives turned out to bid farewell to the 18-year-old trainee butcher, who died when his moped was involved in a collision with a car in Parliament Street, Stroud on October 22.

Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton played out at the start of service as the coffin was carried into church by pallbearers including Ryan’s father Kelvin, brother Shane, grandfather Colin Macaulay, family friend Mike Mackin, Graham Gardner and Steven Macaulay.

The Rev Simon Richards then said: "It seems too soon for us to be here but as the order of service reads, this is a celebration of the life of Ryan, and so through gritted teeth that is what we must do."

Next to speak was Celia Garland, a close school friend of Ryan, who read aloud a poem she wrote especially for the service.

Her sentiments were echoed by lifelong family friend Mr Mackin, who also read out a heartfelt and occasionally amusing tribute to Ryan. A moving rap song written especially about Ryan by his friends Jake Knight, Adam Dickinson and Scott Cook was then played.

Later, a series of prayers were read out before a tearful Mr Stewart stood to say: "This is the saddest day of our lives.

"God must have needed an angel and it is just typical of Ryan to say, okay. Goodbye son."

The commendation and blessing then took place as We’ve Only Just Begun by The Carpenters ended the service.

As the mourners left church, uniformed members of Stroud Army Cadets, of which Shane, 15, is a member, formed a tunnel as a mark of respect.

Later, a well-attended wake was held at the Stirrup Cup and Ryan’s parents Sandra and Kelvin would like to thank landlady Mo McDonnell and chef Kate Freebury for their kind donation of all the food for the event.

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