Obituary: Mr. Gavin Bailie

Gavin passed away suddenly at his Andena Grange home on August 10. He was 53.

Educated at Ballymena Academy, Gavin was a man of diverse talents, from writing to drama and sport.

He was a published author and had also provided material for the renowned local drama group, The Slemish Players.

He was also keenly interested in music, with Billy Joel and Joe Jackson his favourite singer-songwriters.

On the sporting front, Gavin was a member of Ballymena Golf Club and in earlier years he played rugby and cricket.

A useful medium-paced bowler, Gavin was a regular member of Ballymena Third XI and returned career-best figures that any bowler would have been proud of - a haul of eight wickets for 29 runs in a League match against Academy.

He was an extremely caring neighbour; often leaving people’s bins outside their homes at Andena for collection, and, putting them back in place afterwards. He also helped the aged on many occasions to carry their shopping into their homes.

At his funeral service in Henry’s Parlour, tributes to Gavin were paid by Rev Daniel Kane, Minister of West Presbyterian Church, and by the Deaconess, Mrs Phyllis Linton, a personal friend.

Gavin is survived by his father Oswald, sister Morag, and brother, Gregor.

His mother Hessie died suddenly in November, 2008, and the family suffered a further devastating loss with the passing of Gavin’s brother, and “best mate”, Niall, in June of the following year.

A large turnout of mourners attended the funeral service on Saturday, August 13, after which Gavin was laid to rest in the family plot at Ballymena Cemetery.