Family touched by outpouring of support since passing of well-known Banbridge photographer

The doting dad-of-three, who was 42, passed away suddenly last Friday (September 13) at his home on the Ballygowan Road.

Gary was the dearly loved husband of Julie, devoted father of Rowen, Reesa and Rudy, cherished son of Kenneth and Sally Crossan, loving brother of Shane, Carol, Mariesa and Cathal, and loving son-in-law of Alwin and Ruth Martin.

His funeral service took place in St. Thérèse’s Church on Monday, with hundreds of mourners paying their respects.

Rowen and Reesa’s classmates from Bridge Integrated P.S. stood at the school gates as a mark of respect as the funeral cortege passed by, while students from Gary’s old school St. Patrick’s - where he was Deputy Head Boy in his final year - formed a guard of honour at the church.

Speaking to the Chronicle, devastated Julie said the family had been deeply touched by the outpouring of kindness and support since Gary’s passing.

“It’s been a shock to everyone,” she said, “especially when he went through so much with his cancer seven years ago and he got through it all.

“He worked through it, he was still taking photos and that spurred him on and helped him.”

Gary started his own photography business - Gary Crossan Photography - in 2011, having previously worked for Opus with Roy Clements and Cool For School Photography.

“This was always his busy time of the year,” Julie recalled.

“He was out in all his schools taking photos of the P1s and First Years.

“He just loved his work, and you knew that when he was telling you all about his day. Every school was like a family to him.

“He just got two new schools this year; one of the schools he got was the girls’ school and he was so chuffed about that.

“The kids, teachers, principals… everyone loved him. He didn’t even have to go and get schools, it was through word of mouth. The work came to him and that’s how much people thought of him.

“He made people feel at ease, whether it was a bride who was a bit nervous on her wedding day, or a child scared of sitting in front of the camera, he always got a smile. He was good at what he did.

“He did everything himself, he took the photos, edited them, packed them and delivered the photos - it was a labour of love.”

Gary and Julie got married in 2013, and are proud daddy and mummy to Rowen (9), Reesa (8) and four-year-old Rudy.

“The children are coping, but they have their moments of getting upset,” Julie said.

“Kids are more resilient than we are and they wanted to go back to school to see their friends.

“Rowen wrote a lovely wee note the morning of the funeral and put it into the coffin.

“It said ‘I love you, I miss you, I need you, I want you, everyone loves you, everyone misses you, everyone needs you, everyone wants you’. She summed up exactly how we are all feeling.”

Julie added: “We’d be lost without the kindness and support of family, friends - and the whole community.

“Gary would have been so privileged and honoured by it all. I want to thank everyone who has helped us through these difficult days.”

Julie has been recalling the many happy times and she will forever treasure the memories.

“Gary loved travelling, socialising and hosting parties,” she revealed.

“Any time we had a party, the smoke machine was out, the lights, the karaoke… he loved singing and playing the piano.

“He was a gentleman. He was kind, he would have done anything for you and he was a great daddy.

“He was a gentle, caring, loving man - just perfect.

“We have so many photos and videos that both he and I took, which the children will always have.

“He’ll not be forgotten - he can’t be forgotten.”

Donations in lieu of flowers are in aid of the Southern Area Hospice (please make cheques payable to the nominated charity) c/o James Minnis & Son, Funeral Directors, 33 Castlewellan Road, Banbridge, BT32 4JQ.

Gary will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, children, mother, father, brothers, sisters, father-in-law, mother-in-law and the entire family circle.