Tanzy.

I won’t lie to you mate. Me and you. This wasn’t love at first sight. I wasn’t sure.  I thought to myself “Who the hell is this loudmouth Stretford Jim Carrey” ? But I got you really wrong. Very wrong. The year was 2001. Everyone can remember their first meeting with you Tanzy. In my case it was Dublin airport. Ste Price’s stag do. We’re in our early 20’s. I got on the minibus. I’m sat at the back. Haven’t seen your face yet because you’re sat on the front seat. You decided the time was now ripe to unveil your haemhorroids to the entire minibus. I’d still not actually seen your face yet but had already become involuntarily familiar with the swollen veins in your back-side. It soon became clear that you, Tanzy, as so many people allude to, were not the norm. I don’t agree that you were larger than life. God no, you were so much bigger than that. Like all of us who had the pleasure to get to know you deeply, as I peeled away at the layers, it was seriously remarkable how multi-faceted you were. Apart from the craziness, the wackiness, the cheek, the charm, the daring, the sense of adventure, the dancing, the entrepreneurial spirit, underneath it all was the kindest, most loving and generous friend, son, brother, father, husband. You really had it all. I marvelled at how good you were at tennis, table tennis, chess, trivial pursuits, holidays, nights out, nights in. The only person I know who was as passionate about boxing as a 2000-piece jigsaw puzzle. Massively hetero yet comfortable kissing your male friends in the pub and dancing like Louie Spence. You made life better for those around you. I call you the Elevator. Because you elevated the moments, the events, the little occasions. And let off some grenades at everyone’s milestones like weddings and birthdays. Yes, sometimes you offended people occasionally, but always your words and actions were shrewd and well meaning. Even a trip to the supermaket in Cyprus on holiday was unforgettable because we went there, Tanzy style, in a stretch Mercedes limo. Life was always better when you were around. There’s no way to sugarcoat this but life is just not the same without you. But we are eternally grateful to have been enriched by your presence and the memories of your mahogany suntanned grinning face with your turtle tongue sticking out, moonwalking in flip flops, tearing a big hole in your wedding pants, stealing my boy’s e-scooter to get you home from my end of Church Road to yours at midnight. Down the middle of the road. I said at the beginning that this wasn’t love at first sight. As I got to know you Tanzy, with time like everyone else, I adored you. Admired, respected and adored. Rest In Peace Tanzy and be assured that me and my family will always be there for Joanne, Jacob, Oliver and Emily. Forever. That’s a promise. And I look forward to seeing you one day on that great big Tennis court in the sky x