MORE than 500 motorcyclists roared through town yesterday to say farewell to a "lovable legend".
As reported, well-known biker Fergus O'Connell died unexpectedly at his home aged 50.
Fellow members of the North East Lincolnshire Motorcycle Action Group turned out in their hundreds to pay their respects to a friend described by president Ian Mutch as a "lovable legend".
The funeral cortege was followed by more than 500 motorcycles as it left the home of the Young's Seafood worker on Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, just after noon. The bikers turned heads as they travelled along Freeman Street, Pyewipe Road, Boulevard Avenue, Cromwell Road, Dudley Street, Deansgate Bridge and Church Lane to St James' Square, where they met more friends and family for the service at Grimsby Minster.
Mr O'Connell's coffin was also taken by motorcycle and was carried into the Minster to the Motorcycle Song by Arlo Guthrie.
The service was conducted by the Reverend Steve Holt who spoke about Mr O'Connell's sudden death.
He said: "At some time or another the electricity stops and we are caught in a blackout.
"We are caught in the blackout for a while and we are lost.
"Deaths like these are so sudden like a blackout where many people are plunged into darkness in the space of a minute.
"Our whole life is turned upside down and nothing can prepare us for it.
"But it is at times like these we need to look to the light."
Hundreds of friends and family took to their feet to sing popular hymn Onward Christian Soldiers before a reading of John, Chapter 14: verses one to six by the Reverend Jan Vasey.
Both Fergus's brother Dean O'Connell and daughter Leah shared a few words with those who had gathered to pay their respects.
Dean said: "I want to thank everyone for coming at this devastating time.
"Me and Ferg grew up together as best friends and it stayed that way.
"I will always remember that Ferg couldn't ride a bike without stabilisers until he was nine years old.
"Just before he died he managed to finish writing his book "Is that you Angus?" which was a great achievement.
"Ferg left us a message before he died saying that he wanted a big service and that is what he has got."
Leah added: "He was a father, mentor and best friend."
Following the eulogy, the hymn Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam was sung followed by a prayer for the family.
The coffin was led out of the church to Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd before the cortège travelled along Church Lane, Deansgate Bridge, Bargate on to Weelsby Road and Weelsby Street to the Crematorium.
