Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page. Please read below about a fantastic Son, Brother, Husband, Dad and Uncle, who sadly lost his life at the age of 53 to Bowel Cancer.

We felt that the reading from the funeral would be best used to describe him;

Together we will win this fight.

Gary Hollinshead (my dad) was born in Wegberg, Germany on 13 June 1961 to his mother Jennie. He joined his twin brothers Paul and Leslie and his little sister Dawn came 6 years later. With the guidance from Jennie and Denis, my dad was given a fantastic foundation to build on his family values and create his own. I have been told across all of my dad’s immediate family that he was a perfect son, loving brother and a caring uncle.

Gary met Lynne Hardman, my mum, in 1984 through mutual friends Mandy and Eric Townson, they got engaged in 1985 and married on my mum’s 24 birthday in March 1986. Mum and Dad have been happily married for 28 years although the have known each other for 30.

When married, Mum and Dad moved to Newton in Nottingham to which I have been told that they loved the area. I was born in October 1986, with my sister Stacey coming along 4 years later in September 1990. We were very much an RAF family moving on average every 3 years with postings to RAF High Wycombe (Buckinghamshire) on 2 separate occasions, 3 separate postings in 3 years in Germany and my dad’s last posting to RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire. Dad also completed overseas tours in the Falklands and Bruggen. 

After 25 years of good military conduct and service, Sgt Gary Hollinshead left in 2003 where as a family we returned to my parents’ roots by moving back to Thurnscoe. After military service and with all the positive experiences, Dad didn't enjoy British Rail at Ventura but thoroughly enjoyed his time at Balfour Beatty, recently celebrating 10 years with them.  

Of course I cannot remind you of my Dad without mentioning his numerous sporting interests which included hockey, cricket, squash, golf, football and of course running. My dad loved his sport and was always chatting to me about football, England, Barnsley and how far he had run through the village that day. He loved football so much he even cut a family holiday short to get back to watch England vs. Germany to which we won 5-1! It’s a good job we did, as my mum would have been fuming!  

In my younger years through football and true to my dad’s character he became involved as a physio, first aider, team coach, team manager and even referee, so he was dedicated and a true all-rounder.

It wasn’t all football, beer and sport, my dad had a softer side too and true to his character dedicated to helping his family out in any way, he brought home the family Labrador Mira and also to his wishes recently enjoyed having two love birds Max and Paddy in the house. Dad even helped my sister with her beauty therapy assignments. This included him receiving leg waxing, eyebrow waxing, manicure, facial and massage and this was all on his days off! 

Another passion of my dad was his gardening to which he spent plenty Saturday afternoons with a can of beer in one hand and a pair of gardening sheers in the other. The true professional! Stacey has recently taken up this pastime to something that my dad will be very happy to know that his garden is in good hands.

Throughout his family and work life my Dad always looked at the positives and normally in his very dry sense of humour made a joke out of absolutely anything. This included his last 6 months of his life where he used his humour to keep everyone else’s spirits high, always thinking of someone else before himself. 

Always the travellers, mum and dad recently enjoyed a trip to Scotland to come and visit me and Michelle in our home. We had a fantastic weekend celebrating his birthday, father’s day and of course watching England play in the World Cup. For us, it was a perfect opportunity for my Dad to see my life north of the border and put faces to all the stories that I have told him. 

My Dad was a perfect Dad and I was lucky enough to work, socialise and play sports together so I can safely say that I knew him.  He was very hardworking, meticulous in detail and always put other people’s wishes before his own.  Everyone I have met has always had a positive word about him which I and the rest of the family are extremely proud to say, this is even highlighted by the turn out today. Even though the time I had with Dad was a lot shorter than it should have been, I truly believe the time he spent with me, he passed on the best knowledge and advice I could ever ask for. This includes numerous memories to which I will keep forever. My dad’s best piece of advice other than ‘yes dear’ was ‘You always get out, what you put in’ something that I will continue to carry out for many years to come. 

My mum wanted to share that there was always loads of funny moments which she will always cherish and look back on. He was always thoughtful and very strong to the end. My mum also wanted to say that there is no-one else like him he was my mum’s rock, my mum’s soul mate and of course my mum’s best friend. 

I found a quote that I thought was very relevant and something I would like to share;

‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel’.