Tontospal 1,116 Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Sad news indeed. I can't pretend to know him that well but he was probably the best known Rangers fan around and I've seen him at many games around the world. I agree with the sentiments that the club should wear black armbands on Sunday. I can't think of a better tribute, other than a Rangers win of course, for someone who dedicated so much of his life to supporting Rangers. I seem to recall a story about Rangers playing a behind closed doors pre-season game at Livingston just after Advocaat took over. I think Rangers had been over in Scandanavia for pre-season training and Garry was one of a few fans that had travelled over. Advocaat aparently saw him outside Almondvale and hearing that Garry was being denied entry escorted him in to the ground claiming that any fan who followed tyhe club to Sweden (IIRC) shouldn't be locked out of a game in Scotland. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivybank 4,594 Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 I first got to know Gary when we stood together in the East enclosure in the late 70s/ early 80s, him and Winky. He always had a quip about the team and the opposition. Over the years, got to know him reasonably well and would always see him at the games as I've only missed about 12 myself in the last 30 years. Last time I sat beside him was at the St Mirren away game with his daughter Angela and he was belting out The Famine Song! Last time I actually saw him was at the home Falkirk game a few weeks ago, he nodded and gave me a wave. He will be sadly, RIP Big man. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TunnyLoyal 1,136 Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 There's some nice stories on here about the Big man, seems like the type of bear I would have liked to have met and shared a few beers with to get some of his stories out of him as he must have loads! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMightyDado 5 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 R.I.P. Brother Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saudibear 0 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 There's some nice stories on here about the Big man, seems like the type of bear I would have liked to have met and shared a few beers with to get some of his stories out of him as he must have loads! I'm sure you would have enjoyed Garry's company, he was one of the best Rangers men you could ever meet but not sharing a beer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedWhiteBlue1872 407 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 R.I.P big man, thoughts are wth the family and like said would be fitting if the team could get a result on Sunday for him. I didnt know him however deeply admire his sheer love for our club Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamthatIam 1 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 For all those wanting to attend Garry's funeral: Old Parish Church Kirkhill 2pm Daldowie 3pm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamthatIam 1 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Sorry! That's on Tuesday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgruntled_bear 157 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kplfishtank 4,657 Posted February 13, 2009 Author Share Posted February 13, 2009 thanks for the info on the funeral i shall be in attendance to say goodbye to someone who was rangers thru and thru i will miss not seeing the big man on our euro sorties rip big man and i hope the bears can get a result on sunday Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nvager 498 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Very sad news. I hope the team do it for you on sunday big man! You deserve it. Rip Can only agree with Kev's statement. RIP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirkey1963 0 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I had the pleasure of working with the Big man Garry while on trips abroad watching Rangers my heart goes out his Daughter Angela and wife lets win on sunday and bring the title home this season for Garry a pleasure knowing you big man simply the best RIP a fellow bear Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lidorfc 6,665 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 R.I.P fella Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KERRZO 5 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Met the big man a couple a times locally as he and ma dad went to school together. Was a real Rangers legend. RIP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 358 Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 I didn't know him, but best wishes to his family & friends. RIP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kplfishtank 4,657 Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 just to let everyone know that garry got a wonderful send off there was hundreds of family friends and even the club was represented at the service john greig, sandy jardine, john brown ,ian durrant and some other younger players were in attendance im sure the amount of people at the service would have brought some comfort to garrys family Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimenez 1 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 just to let everyone know that garry got a wonderful send off there was hundreds of family friends and even the club was represented at the service john greig, sandy jardine, john brown ,ian durrant and some other younger players were in attendance im sure the amount of people at the service would have brought some comfort to garrys family That's great to hear, there's no bigger testament to the man than Rangers legends like Greig and Brown attending his funeral. TBO, UB, CDL and EE had planned on getting the Absent Friends banner out before the game on Sunday but the Police wouldn't let us in with it. We did however have two papermills with messages of condolences. Garry's son posted on Follow Follow that after a little discussion with family and after requests from bears all over the world how they could honour him, that the best way to remember him by would be for bears to snap up the 'rising stars' coupons at the game on Saturday Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kplfishtank 4,657 Posted February 17, 2009 Author Share Posted February 17, 2009 just to let everyone know that garry got a wonderful send off there was hundreds of family friends and even the club was represented at the service john greig, sandy jardine, john brown ,ian durrant and some other younger players were in attendance im sure the amount of people at the service would have brought some comfort to garrys family That's great to hear, there's no bigger testament to the man than Rangers legends like Greig and Brown attending his funeral. TBO, UB, CDL and EE had planned on getting the Absent Friends banner out before the game on Sunday but the Police wouldn't let us in with it. We did however have two papermills with messages of condolences. Garry's son posted on Follow Follow that after a little discussion with family and after requests from bears all over the world how they could honour him, that the best way to remember him by would be for bears to snap up the 'rising stars' coupons at the game on Saturday thats a great idea jim i will buy a few it was great to see so many friends ive made making the effort to get there today as its not always easy to get time off when its not a family member there was a wonderful rendition of jerusalem in the church that nearly had me in tears Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hammer 11 2,584 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 just to let everyone know that garry got a wonderful send off there was hundreds of family friends and even the club was represented at the service john greig, sandy jardine, john brown ,ian durrant and some other younger players were in attendance im sure the amount of people at the service would have brought some comfort to garrys family Good to hear the club does care about the true fans ,a fitting tribute ,never neww the guy but always ashame when a good bear passes away to go up to blue heaven R.I.P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperonthewing 0 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 just to let everyone know that garry got a wonderful send off there was hundreds of family friends and even the club was represented at the service john greig, sandy jardine, john brown ,ian durrant and some other younger players were in attendance im sure the amount of people at the service would have brought some comfort to garrys family I only made it along to Daldowie but I have never seen a crowd like that there. Many of us (including Bomber) stood outside while the servce was relayed over the speakers. Very sad but the family will hopefully have been lifted by the fantastic turnout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davie1689 1 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 well done to the club for attending absent friends Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
minstral 5,375 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 well done rangers for showing great sympathy to a loyal rangers man. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzas_Flute 11 Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 R.I.P Gary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TunnyLoyal 1,136 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I'm glad to hear that everything went well for this true bear yesterday and I'm sure his family were helped on this sad day for them by the sheer crown that turned up for Garry to wish him goodbye. RIP Garry - Absent Friends. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IamthatIam 1 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 The family did indeed take comfort from the turn out. We also reckoned Big Garry would have loved the Rangers lads being there. RIP Gadger. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts