Dear Shirley, Rhian, Gemma and Robbie We were all devastated to hear the awful, tragic news about Gareth. It is hard to find words at a time like this and the pain you will all be going through is unimaginable. Gareth was a life force: a powerhouse of positivity, and it’s so hard to think of him not being there. He has been such a good friend to all of us over so many years, firstly as the best neighbour anyone could ever want, then in a long and wonderful friendship. As you know so well, Gareth made a massive impact wherever he went. He cared about the people he met, and that shone through everything he did. He was generous with his time, his energy and his commitment and brought those qualities, along with that fierce intellect and robust, uncompromising values to everything he did. And he was fun – so much fun. We all have so many amazing memories: school quiz nights, kitchen discos, Christmas day champers, Walberswick walks, BBQs at the Barns, glamorous book launches and academic lectures, debates about political strategy side by side with discussions about football tactics or gardening technique, many happy birthdays (including Gareth’s last Big Birthday), anniversaries and, of course, occasionally assisting his valuable work as a pub visitor, here in London, in Suffolk or in Hove… You will by now be overwhelmed with people telling you how much he meant to them. It’s not surprising because he used his endless wit and warmth in a way that made everybody he came into contact with feel special. Somehow, his own brand of specialness rubbed off on everyone else. He would say his passions were football and politics, but actually his passion was for people, and was he interested in absolutely everyone, whoever they were, wherever they came from and whatever they did. Wherever he went he created a community bringing people together. He was clever in so many ways but this was his real talent and the thing that set him apart, and made him such a joy to be with. He will be so very badly missed by everyone whose life he touched. Of course though, Gareth’s greatest passion was for a very specific group of people: you, his family. The expression ‘family man’ was invented for him, and together you have all created a strong, loving tight knit unit that will endure, and give you comfort through this incredibly sad time. Thinking of you all and sending you all our love Deborah Dave Clara Theo and Francis