FRIENDS, family and former colleagues gathered to celebrate the life of former Town chairman and director Peter Furneaux, who was described as a 'true Mariner to the end'. Â
A large congregation of mourners packed into St Peter's Church in Cleethorpes to pay their final respects to Peter, who passed away aged 79 on December 2 after a long battle with illness.
Town director and friend John Fenty, who worked with Peter at GTFC during his second spell at the helm, said: "Peter, never afraid to take a difficult decision, was a football man and very well-respected throughout the game. Â
"He was a people person, a little man with a massive personality, who relished a challenge. Â
"I'm sure there will be many to testify to his caring and concerning nature, which touched so many. Â
"As one of life's great survivors, the last year became Peter's biggest challenge, which he sadly lost. Â
"But with radio and newspaper by his bedside, he stayed in touch with his passion for the club, as a true Mariner to the end – listening to all the games and scrutinising the column inches. Â
"Peter will go down in the club's history and will remain in our memories as a gentle, caring person and he will be sadly missed by all. Â
"Thank you for the memories and the good times Peter, god bless." Â
Our thoughts are with Peter's wife Ann and his family at this time. Â Â
There will be a minutes silence ahead of the Forest Green game for Peter. Â Â
Picture: Former Town players Gary Croft, Gary Childs and John McDermott at Thursday's funeral. Â