Today's most viewed
| JOIN THE DEBATE |  | | | | | | | NEWS | | | | | | | | | SOUTHEND UNITED | | | | | | ECHO WOMAN | | | | | | | | | | HEALTH | |
|
|
|
Farewell to tragic Craig
 |
| Tragic end - a horse-drawn hearse took Craig Furness to Holy Cross Church, with around 50 mourners |
A DEVASTATED father carried his son's coffin on his shoulder as he joined mourners to bid a final farewell to the tragic teenager.
Paul Furness, 45, was one of six pallbearers who carried the coffin of his son, Craig, 18, into the packed Holy Cross Church, off Whitmore Way, Basildon.
Craig was the passenger in a blue Ford Fiesta when it struck a tree on Upper Mayne, Basildon, on Saturday, December 15.
As the rain poured down, a black carriage drawn by two horses, followed by a throng of around 50 mourners, made its way to the church yesterday.
Floral tributes in the shape of a red Arsenal shield and football showed the former Basildon and Thurrock College pupil's love for the North London side.
As the mourners, including Craig's gran Jean, 75, and uncle Geoff Morris, walked into the church, the song Breathe by R&B singer Blu Cantrell and Sean Paul rung out.
Around 100 people gathered inside the church to pay their respects to the teen, described as a "happy- go-lucky, loving boy", while others stood outside to listen to the service on speakers.
Leading the service, the Rev Margaret Shaw said: "It pays testimony to Craig so many of you have gathered to remember him before God and gathered to give thanks for his life.
"Craig's untimely death has rocked the community in Fryerns as well as throughout Basildon and beyond.
"He was a young man with his whole life ahead of him."
Rev Shaw then went on to read some of the tributes left on the Echo website by friends of the former De La Salle school pupil.
The service was followed by a burial at Pitsea Crematorium.
Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking in connection with the crash. He has been released on bail until February.
11:22am Tuesday 22nd January 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Corina, essex basildon on 12:22pm Tue 22 Jan 08
craig had a lovely send of and now my dear friend can rest in peace. His funeral showed many people that life is too short and we must enjoy everyday, Everyone will miss dear craig and i wil be one of those people. Love you criag now you can rest in peace
love from corina x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
craig had a lovely send of and now my dear friend can rest in peace. His funeral showed many people that life is too short and we must enjoy everyday, Everyone will miss dear craig and i wil be one of those people. Love you criag now you can rest in peace
love from corina x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
Posted by: lw mum, eastwood on 2:17pm Tue 22 Jan 08
My deepest condolences to all concerned .
One day the tears will become less and smiles will become easier .Take my word for that .
best wishes. L
My deepest condolences to all concerned .
One day the tears will become less and smiles will become easier .Take my word for that .
best wishes. L
Posted by: h.letchford, basildoj on 6:52pm Tue 22 Jan 08
hi craig i am missing u m8 so its hard with out u now in colloge i miss u so much and so does emma toni and the others m8s
hi craig i am missing u m8 so its hard with out u now in colloge i miss u so much and so does emma toni and the others m8s
Posted by: Marie, basildon on 10:17pm Tue 22 Jan 08
[italic]craig had a gd send off, many people turned up at the funeral, everyone there loves u craig, now u cn rest in peace, i will miss u craig n 4eva u will b in my heart and every1 that knows u. love u craig, rest in peace mate xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
****[/italic]
craig had a gd send off, many people turned up at the funeral, everyone there loves u craig, now u cn rest in peace, i will miss u craig n 4eva u will b in my heart and every1 that knows u. love u craig, rest in peace mate xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
**** Posted by: Danielle, Basildon on 12:31pm Wed 23 Jan 08
Craig you had a beautiful send off.. Loads of people were there which shows how loved you were..You will never be forgotten your forever in my heart and my thoughts.. R.I.P Craig love you loads xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx[italic]italic[/italic]
Craig you had a beautiful send off.. Loads of people were there which shows how loved you were..You will never be forgotten your forever in my heart and my thoughts.. R.I.P Craig love you loads xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: Billy Ashton, Basildn on 8:39pm Wed 30 Jan 08
[bold]Well where to start mate, 11 years we knew each other and each day you was here for me. all i can say mate is im here or your family and no matter what anyone says your a top man, may you rest in peace[/bold] that saying you never know how much your going to miss someone until they are gone, well craig im missing ya mate and so are all the lads.
Well where to start mate, 11 years we knew each other and each day you was here for me. all i can say mate is im here or your family and no matter what anyone says your a top man, may you rest in peace that saying you never know how much your going to miss someone until they are gone, well craig im missing ya mate and so are all the lads.
Posted by: Chrissie, Basildon on 11:41pm Tue 13 May 08
Nearly 6 months on...
Craig i miss you...
Your never far from my mind...
Hope your at peace..
Love you..
Chrissie
XXX
Nearly 6 months on...
Craig i miss you...
Your never far from my mind...
Hope your at peace..
Love you..
Chrissie
XXX
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
