A "LARGER than life personality" and "always the life and soul of the party" were among the descriptions given to Gaz Powell at a celebration of his life.
Tributes were paid to Gaz at a service held at St Helens Crematorium on Monday afternoon, September 20.
Gareth 'Gaz' Powell tragically died aged 39 after being hit by a car near Haydock Island on Monday, August 23.
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Gaz, from Haydock, had a big passion for music and was also well known in the St Helens local sporting community.
Gaz, with girlfriend Naomi
His funeral hearse arrived to applause from the large congregation which waited outside the crematorium, with the coffin bearing the name of heavy metal band Slipknot, and his guitar on show.
The chapel at the crematorium which was packed out and, while the sadness of the occasion was acknowledged, the service was held in the spirit that "amazing character" Gaz would have wanted.
Floral tributes to Gaz Powell
Mourners were told how Gaz was a man who "lived life to the full". He was described as a "loveable rogue, but ultimately a down to earth larger than life personality" who had "an unbelievable sense of humour".
He was said to be a man who "could find humour in any situation" and amusing anecdotes were shared by some of Gaz's closest friends.
Among those Gaz left behind were his girlfriend Naomi, mum Sandra, dad Maurice, step-mum Jayne, sister and brother-in-law Emma and Phil, step-sister Claire and her husband Baz, two step-brothers Jon and Dan, their families and his two nieces Mel and Amelia.
Gaz Powell's life was celebrated at the service
The service heard how Gaz's late stepdad Col introduced him to sports including golf, taking him to watch Liverpool Football Club and cricket.
Sport played a big part in his life and Gaz went on to play for several clubs including cricket for Sutton and Haydock CC, football at Blackbrook and St Helens Rovers and for St Helens Hockey Club.
He also enjoyed video games, animals - picking up the nickname "Dr Doolittle" - as well as fancy dress and socialising, with Gaz a regular face at venues including The Ship Inn, The Owl's Nest and The Huntsman.
It was said, however, that music was "his main passion" for which he had a "wide and eclectic" taste in.
A floral guitar
It was added "the first thing he would do in a pub is look for the jukebox" and that he "loved playing his guitar".
Meanwhile, some of Gaz's favourite songs also were played during the service.
These included Snuff by Slipknot, The Gambler by Kenny Rogers and finally Rockstar by Nickelback to conclude.
People were asked to make any donations to the North West Air Ambulance, who had transported Gaz to hospital.
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