A MUCH-loved man from Prestatyn who died suddenly was laid to rest on Friday (August 4), as loved ones donned Everton and royal blue shirts at his funeral to remember his love for the football club.
Robin Williams died aged 38 in the early hours of July 19, leaving behind his mother and father, two brothers, partner Natalie, and three children.
He died of cancer less than two weeks after he first saw a doctor about symptoms he had developed, and only received an official diagnosis hours before his life support machine was switched off.
At his funeral and wake, held at Denbighshire Memorial Park and Crematorium in St Asaph and The Beaches Hotel in Prestatyn respectively, his friends and family paid tribute to his love for Everton by wearing the club’s colours of royal blue.
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‘Devoted’ Prestatyn father who died suddenly ‘was loved by all who knew him’
Gareth, his brother-in-law, said: “It wasn’t just myself; everybody was amazing in how they organised themselves.
“There were late-night trips to Liverpool, by multiple people, to get Everton shirts with names on the back. Everybody absolutely pulled it off; they made an outstanding effort.
“Rob’s very best mate since primary school is a proper Liverpool fan – he stood at the bar with his Everton top on and his Liverpool wallet out.”
At Robin’s funeral, moving readings were given by his brother, Christopher, and best friend, Wayne, while his 16-year-old daughter also wrote a poem in his memory.
Gareth said the day proved a fitting tribute to an “amazing man”.
He added: “It was a horrible day, but everyone did an amazing job to give him the send-off that he deserved. It was exactly the way he would have wanted it to be.
“Robin was an amazing man, and everybody just wanted to do him proud.
“Christopher gave an amazing reading, including some stories from when he and Robin were younger.
“His daughter wrote a poem for him, and his best friend, Wayne, gave another reading, which was truly inspirational.”
An online fundraiser page, set up by his Christopher to support funeral costs and living expenses for his family, has raised more than £5,000.
You can donate yourself by visiting: www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-robin-williams-family.
Born and raised in Llanasa, Robin attended Ysgol Penmorfa and Prestatyn High School, before installing gas and electricity meters for a living.
He was able to say one last goodbye to his mother and his partner before he died.
Following his death, Christopher also celebrated the life of his late brother.
“Robin was incredibly caring, very well-liked, and naturally gifted at anything he did,” he said.
“He was an incredible family man; he had his first child at 21, and just devoted his life to his three children.
“Robin always put his family first; it was always family trips out which he most enjoyed. He’d take his own family to places that we used to go to as children, like Stratford-upon-Avon and Alton Towers.
“The passing of Robin leaves a hole in our hearts that can never be filled.”
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