It is my sad task to relate the passing of one of Bm's former members, Shadowfax.

Although controversial and sometimes argumentative, he was always great fun to be around.

To look at him, he was intimidating, but in real life one of the biggest hearted men you could wish to meet. His rendition of the River dance was a sight to behold.

Despite being quite poorly for a while, it was his heart that finally let him down.

A great husband, father and stepfather and a doting grandfather, he will be sorely missed by many.

Ride long and ride free brother, until we meet on the ethereal highway once again.

66

Such a shock, condolences to Kaycat. Iam thinking of you 🤗 RIP Fax                                                                                                                                                                             

Sorry to hear of your loss. Love and healing thoughts sent to all especially Kaycat. 🤗
                                                                                                                                                                             

Well said 66. I did see this on FB a few days ago but did not think it right for me to post. If you could inform us of any details when they are available I would be grateful. That will be Shadowfax and Scorpio56 (Ken) riding in the sun.                                                                                                                                                                             

I don't think I met Shadowfax, if I did, it would have been at a Kiss rally.

My condolences to Kaycat, who I know I have met.                                                                                                                                                                             

Only ever met him once but he was friendly in person & found him to be a decent bloke.
RIP Shadowfax.                                                                                                                                                                             

Well put 66. Thinking of you Kacat
                                                                                                                                                                             

I always got on well with Shadowfax sorry to hear he’s gone, condolences Kaycat                                                                                                                                                                             

Kaycat asked me if I would let everyone know what Fax's wishes were regarding his funeral.
Here is what he wanted:

On behalf of John/Andy/Shadowfax/Grandy's wife, children, family and friends, we wanted to say how incredibly difficult the last week has been, but how your kind words, messages, cards and flowers have truly helped, thank you, they are all appreciated!

Andy had fought bravely (stubbornly) against an incredibly awful health condition over the past 3 years, and although his opportunity to fully enjoy his retirement was taken away, Andys true self never wavered and he maintained his strength right through to his very sudden death on the 15th November 2024.

Because of his health, Andy had discussed his funeral wishes prior to his death, expressing and being very adamant that he wanted a Direct cremation, also known as a non attended funeral. He asked that we follow these wishes for a couple of reasons, that we would like to share with you all, as his friends meant the world to him.

First and foremost, as an avid traveller, you, his friends live 'all o'er' as he would say, and he didn't want you all to have to travel far to come and be sad - you can be sad anywhere, but to be honest he didn't want that either! He also said to mum that it will likely be snowing when he went and if anyone had an accident on the way here, well, it will be easily preventable this way.

He also knew how hard the day would be for so many people, and fully believed that funerals are for the living and we put ourselves through them out of tradition, so he hoped that in its place you would celebrate his life, in your own individual ways.

He hoped that instead of travelling to sit and listen to someone else talk about his life, that you would each start a conversation with someone in his memory, call and chat or message a person you know, and tell a story (not necessarily of him) or put the world to rights as he did everyday that knew him.

If this isn't something you find easy to do, please feel free to write a message on Andys Facebook wall, for his wife, children and family to read, the page will be memorialised, so we can come back and read these whenever we need to hear of him.

If a donation is more up your street, please make one in his memory to a charity of your choosing, something close to your heart, and think of him if you do so.

In true Andy/John/Shadowfax/Grandy style, I have waffled on plenty, the Direct Cremation will take place on the 6th December 2024. Andy will take his final journey to the crematorium, and his ashes will be returned to his children Marc and Lauren, shortly after, where he will finally get to rest where he always said was 'home'.

There won't be a day go by that he won't be missed, remembered or told off for leaving us, but that just shows how deeply we all love him.

Thank you for reading all the way to here.

Andy (Fax) and myself spent many an evening chewing the fat and putting the world to rights over a glass of what we enjoyed. Kaycat would always retire when we started yapping, as she knew it would not end until the early hours the following morning.

KC's strength and resilience has been remarkable since he was taken from her, bouyed up by the support of her family.

I will personally remember some of the dafter things he got up to, always rendering me doubled up in fits of laughter.

If you knew him, and even if you didn't, please raise a glass on Friday the 6th just to salute the memory of a great friend.

Ride Long, Ride Free Andy. R.I.P.

66

Hugs and thoughts to Kaycat

R.I.P Shadowfax

xx                                                                                                                                                                             

R.I.P Andy.

Thinking of you and your family Kaycat 🤗