Fundraiser launched to support family of ‘friend to many’ Ian
Tributes have been paid to Ian Gow, of Beverley, who has died aged 68(Image: Rod Littley/gofundme.com)
Tributes have been paid to “one of Beverley’s familiar faces and genuine characters”. Ian Gow sadly passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, February 22, at the age of 68.
The former town councillor was connected to many organisations in the Beverley area and widely known as a result. His friend of 15 years, Rod Littley, has launched a crowdfunding appeal to help with funeral costs and to support Ian’s family with any surplus raised.
On the GoFundMe page, Rod said Beverley had lost “one of its familiar faces and genuine characters, and friend to so many”. He said: “Ian passed away unexpectedly at home, leaving behind his daughter, family and a wide circle of friends who knew him through many walks of life. Ian wasn’t a man who did just one thing.
“Over the years he was a rugby player, a biker, a social worker, a DJ and radio presenter, a taxi driver, a local councillor, and a proud (and long-suffering) Newcastle United supporter. More than anything, he was ‘Ian’ — known to many across Beverley and beyond.”
Rod explained that Ian’s family were faced with the unexpected responsibility of arranging his funeral and other associated costs. “Thanks to the incredible generosity shown so far, we are hopeful that the funeral costs will be covered and Ian will receive the farewell he so richly deserves,” said Rod, after more than £3,700 was pledged towards the £5,000 target.
“Any additional funds raised will go directly to his daughter Amy and her family, helping to ease practical pressures and allow them space to grieve and move forward without added financial strain,” Rod said. “If Ian ever gave you a lift, played a tune you loved (or hated as was often the case), shared a pint, sold you a record, talked rugby, politics, bikes — or football — please consider contributing, no matter how small.
“Let’s come together as a community and give him the send-off he deserves. You will be missed by many, forgotten by none. Goodbye my dear, dear friend.”
‘He would have been humbled’
Close friend Graham Ward said he first met Ian in Nellie’s (the White Horse pub) in Beverley. He said: “Ian was the first friend I made when I moved to Beverley permanently in 1981 and we had many great (mainly drunken!) adventures and, over more recent years, a lot of more grown-up conversations over many cups of tea and biscuits I always took round.
“He was my best man when I got married in 1982 – the marriage lasted seven years, the friendship 45 years.” Graham said: “The last few funerals we went to, Ian was a passenger in my car and he always used to comment that he found it strange how he, with his medical issues, was still attending these events and not actually in the box himself.”
Graham said how much Ian loved his family and how much of a Newcastle United fan he was. “He was a big personality, very sociable, friendly, funny, helpful, thoughtful, deep, proud, (too proud to ask for help most of the time) and Beverley RUFC was a massive part of his life.
“Through him I was introduced to the club and made some good friends there. He loved his social work career and did his very, very best to help the young ones.
“Motorcycle adventures were also a big part of his life and also his radio show on Beverley FM. Ian would have been 69 on May 24 this year, two days before my birthday.”
Graham said he was “very pleased” with how the GoFundMe appeal was going. “It shows how much people thought of him. He would have been humbled,” he said.
Ian’s daughter Amy said her Gateshead-born father moved to Beverley as a young boy. He attended St Mary’s boys’ school and Longcroft.
”Dad was very kind and outgoing. Everyone who met him loved him; he was very intelligent and progressive in his views and his musical knowledge was unmatched,” said Amy of her father, who was also stepdad to Sarah and Paula.
“He loved the raft race on the Beck in support of the charity NURSE and was a big advocate for the Cherry Tree Centre, having worked in youth services. He was loved by so many in our community and that shows in the GoFundMe.
“People have been so kind – typical Dad left no instructions or provisions so without everyone’s help and support we would have struggled to give him a send-off he deserves.” Beverley Town Council paid tribute to Ian in a post on its website.
It said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Beverley Town Councillor Ian Gow. Those who knew him will remember him as a true character.
“He was someone full of energy, wit and a deep commitment to serving Beverley and supporting the life of our town in countless ways. Ian was a man of many talents and interests.
“His eclectic musical tastes were well known and he shared his love of music with the community as a presenter on Beverley FM. He had a lifelong passion for sport, playing for Beverley RUFC for many years, and was an enthusiastic biker, often seen out on his motorbike.
“Beyond his hobbies, Ian had devoted periods of his life to helping others, from his years as a youth worker, guiding and inspiring young people, and as a taxi driver. He brought a great deal of passion and commitment during his time as a town councillor.
“Throughout his life, Ian gave his time generously and cared deeply about the community he called home. He will be greatly missed.
“Everyone at Beverley Town Council extends heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all who were fortunate enough to know him.”
Beverley RUFC said: “We have received the very sad news of the passing of Ian Gow. Ian was a former player and member of Beverley RUFC for many years. Our thoughts are with Ian’s family at this time.”
‘If everyone was a little more ‘Ian’ the world would be that much more honest, kind, and real’
Brian James Christinzio, known professionally as BC Camplight, is a Manchester-based American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who knew Ian well through music. In a post on his Facebook page, Brian said: “I am tremendously saddened to learn that Ian Gow has passed away.
“Ian was a great fan of my music but our relationship ran deeper than that. I estimate he came to 25 shows. Each time we’d have a conversation afterwards.
“He was one of a kind but, in a way I wish he wasn’t. That is to say that if everyone was a little more ‘Ian’ the world would be that much more honest, kind, and real.
“Through the years he’d check on me … his way of saying ‘it’ll be ok’ was to send me photos of his beloved pup or sometimes sending me a photo of the chippy near him called Mr Happy, the place he joked I should name an album after.”
Ian’s funeral will be held on Friday, March 27, at 4.30pm at Haltemprice Crematorium, Willerby. The service is open to all who wish to attend and a celebration of Ian’s life will follow, from 6pm onwards, at Beverley RUFC clubhouse in Norwood, Beverley.
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here.