Josh Hamilton funeral: 'Beautiful lad lived life to the full'
FRIENDS of biker Josh Hamilton fought back tears as they walked his beloved dog to his funeral.
They were joined by the 20-year-old's 'best friend', greyhound Logan, as they followed the hearse to Carmountside Crematorium yesterday.
The coffin was carried in to the chapel to the sound of Aerosmith's I Don't Want To Miss A Thing.
Pastor Paul Owen offered some words of comfort to the hundreds of mourners saying their final farewells to Josh, pictured below, who was killed when his motorbike collided with a car just yards from his home in Priory Road, Abbey Hulton.
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He told the congregation: "Tragic circumstances have brought us to this place and the question on all our minds is 'why?'.
"If we knew the reason it wouldn't change the fact that we are here to say farewell to someone so close to all our thoughts."
During a moving service, Josh was remembered as a 'lovely and beautiful lad' by his family.
Speaking of Josh's relationship with his brother Nathan, Mr Owen said: "They weren't just brothers, they were more like best friends even though they were six years apart in age.
"When he was little he loved to play hide and seek and even when he had been found he still never wanted to come out."
Mr Owen told mourners how Josh, a former pupil at Mitchell High School, would spend the summer holidays with his nan and grandad at a campsite at the Forest of Dean.
He said: "He took up fishing, something that he really loved.
"And his dogs Troy and Logan were a big part of his life, with the three of them always going everywhere together.
"Sadly Troy passed away recently and Logan is completely lost without his two best friends."
Pictures of the two dogs were placed on each end of the coffin.
The congregation was also told of Josh's passion for music and how he would spend hours with his friends listening to their favourite songs.
He said: "Josh was a very likeable lad and he had lots of friends that would come round to the house. They would go into the garage and listen to dubstep and R 'n' B."
One of Josh's favourite sons, I'll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans, was played during the service.
Mr Owen said: "Everyone has spoken of Josh as a really loved lad.
"He always enjoyed life to the full with an infectious smile.
"He loved his mum, his brother and all of his friends and everyone who knew him is gutted by the loss."
Josh died after his bike collided with a blue Toyota Yaris at the junction of Priory Road and Holehouse Road, Abbey Hulton, on September 13.
His family praised the work of both the PCSOs, first responders and paramedics who tried to save Josh's life.
The service ended with the song Don't Go by Wretch 32, before a wake was held at Trent Country Club in Birches Head.
Donations given during the service will go to the West Midlands Air Ambulance.
Pay your tributes to Josh below.
Comments
by stokeandvale
Wednesday, October 10 2012, 10:32AM
“Seemed a Top Lad, sad story R.I.P.”