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Boyzone bids Gately a tearful farewell
Boyzone bandmates bid a tearful farewell to their band member Stephen Gately at his funeral on Saturday. Band member Ronan Keating broke down in tears while he gave his speech at a poignant ceremony held in Dublin, Ireland.
Boyzone member Stephen Gately's was bid a tearful farewell by his bandmates at his funeral on Saturday.
Band member Ronan Keating broke down in tears while he gave his speech at the poignant ceremony held at the St LaurenceO'Toole's Church in Dublin, Ireland, reported Contactmusic.
Keating and the other surviving members of Boyzone, Shane Lynch, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy, fought through their grief to perform the track 'In This Life' at the service.
"We have lost our brother and I have lost my wingman. He will live on in the songs and whenever us four are together his spirit is alive. So, for Stephen, we're going to carry on but it will never be the same without him," said Keating.
"He was so excited at the prospect of the new Boyzone studio album and he called me on Friday after receiving a bunch of new songs, saying how much he loved them," added Keating, who also vowed to finish Gately's book 'The Tree Of Seasons', a children's fantasy novel.
"He was putting the finishing touches to his first book, The Tree Of Seasons. There are only a few pages left to do and by hook or by crook, those who loved him, and there are so many in this room, are going to finish his book," Keating said.
Besides greiving for his late friend, Keating also made the congregation laugh with anecdotes about Gately.
"Steo loved to laugh and how we laughed! He had nicknames for all us - Keith was Kitty, Shane was Shanise, Mikey was Michaela, I was Rosalyn and he was Stephanie," he said.
Duffy also made a speech about Gately, addressing the late star's husband Andy Cowles and his parents, Martin and Margaret.
"Andy, you've got four more brothers now. We are there if you ever need us. Martin and Margaret you have four more sons," said Duffy.
Boyzone's manager Louis Walsh, Westlife, Jason Donovan and Sir Elton John's husband, David Furnish, attended the ceremony.
Stars like Victoria and David Beckham, singer George Michael, bands like 'Take That' and 'U2', who were unable to attend the service, sent messages of support to the grieving family.
Gately was found dead at his Majorcan home on October 10. A post-morten report ruled the singer died after suffering a build-up of fluid on the lungs.
