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'.  

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.  

"He was a people person, a little man with a massive personality, who relished a challenge.  

"I'm sure there will be many to testify to his caring and concerning nature, which touched so many.  

"As one of life's great survivors, the last year became Peter's biggest challenge, which he sadly lost.  

"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.  

"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.  

"Thank you for the memories and the good times Peter, god bless."  

Our thoughts are with Peter's wife Ann and his family at this time.   

There will be a minutes silence ahead of the Forest Green game for Peter.   

Picture: Former Town players Gary Croft, Gary Childs and John McDermott at Thursday's funeral.