Tributes paid to much-loved Lewes father

Gavin Read passed away on Wednesday, July 14, having bravely fought a brain tumour for the last four years.

He would have celebrated his 39th birthday on August 2.

His family described him as an ‘absolutely lovely man’ and a ‘pure gentleman’.

“He was the best dad to his daughter ever,” they said. “His life was his daughter, he did everything for her.”

Gavin was well-known in Lewes, where he grew up and lived for most of his life before moving to Hailsham to be nearer his daughter.

As a teenager he played football at Bridgeview FC, and also did Judo and kickboxing.

Gavin worked as an Accounts Manager at Health Management Ltd in Ringmer, a job he ‘absolutely loved’.

“His colleagues were like a second family to him,” his family said. “He absolutely adored them all and they came to visit him quite regularly when he couldn’t go into work.”

Gavin was also a qualified personal trainer and ‘fitness fanatic’.

His funeral procession started at Malling Green, where he played football as a child, before making its way through the town.

The procession was led by a horse and carriage decorated in purple hearts and bunting – Gavin’s favourite colour.

Lots of people came out into the streets to pay their respects, and his family said it was a ‘phenomenal send-off’.

People were asked to give donations in lieu of flowers to St Wilfrid’s Hospice, which cared for Gavin during the final two-and-a-half weeks of his life.

The family said: “We will be indebted to them forever, they really were outstanding. All the nurses were amazing.”

They also thanked Coopers Funeral Director for arranging Gavin’s send-off.

Gavin will be remembered as a ‘much-loved Daddy, son brother and uncle’ and ‘friend to many’.

“Gone from sight but never our hearts.”