|
Post by wonderkiller72 on Mar 4, 2009 0:09:03 GMT
I was privilidge to know Owen for the last 4 years and spent some great weekends on the road in Edinburgh and Belfast with him and his family the last been only this January.
Great friends don't come around too often but when they do you hold on to them. 4 years ago during some very hard times Owen, Sharron and David were amongst a group of friends who invited me to Edinburgh to watch Sheffield to get me away for the weekend and give me a break from everything.
Despite been a panther in the enemy camp Owen was quick to make me feel welcome and from there blossomed a friendship which I will forever be thankful for. Since then I've never missed a chance to attend one of the away weekend gatherings which were great fun and Owen was 9 times out of 10 the life and soul of the party.
He was like a 2nd father to most who he came into contact with always willing to share advice, offer an ear or pick you up when you were down. If something needed fixing Owen fixed it.
I've still not come to terms with this sudden and tragic loss, numb is the only way to describe how I feel right now, I have shead more than a few tears today. I can only be glad that I knew Owen and I'm honoured to be able to call him a friend.
I contacted Gary today at the office and would like to thank him for his quick response to let me know that Owen will be remembered to the Sheffield fans as we prepare to honour the loss of our own Dave Page on Sat. My sincere thanks to the club for this gesture I know that it will mean alot to the Sheffield faithful and Owen's family.
Owen was a gentle giant, a true great who could light up a room with his presence I will miss his advice and his council, his love for his family and friends. There is a huge hole in U.K Ice hockey tonight left by these two un-needed and tragic losses.
My thoughts are with Sharron and David and the close friends that have shared so many good times with Owen.
Sleep Well, Shine Brightly, R.I.P Owen - a special friend you'll never be forgotten
|
|
BJ
Pat Casey
Posts: 298
|
Post by BJ on Mar 4, 2009 7:18:57 GMT
A big man with a big heart, he loved his hockey and had many many friends ... we're all proud to have known him.
A terrible terrible week, more shocking sad news.
I'll miss you Owen, so long mate.
Dave: Anne and I send our love, please pass it on to Sharon. Take care buddy.
|
|
suzyq
Pat Casey
"Drink up me hearties..YO HO"
Posts: 319
|
Post by suzyq on Mar 4, 2009 13:30:52 GMT
Our thoughts are will you and your family Dave. I will think of all the laughs we've had over the years in the Castle with you and your Dad. He was a lovely lovely guy, and i'm ever so sad this has happened to you and your family. This has been an horrendous week, 2 top blokes gone from our hockey world...why does all the good peeps go too soon. R I P Owen x x
|
|
|
Post by cc77 on Mar 4, 2009 20:23:59 GMT
R.I.P. Owen.
Didn`t know you, but i do that that you were a good friend to some of my friends. My condolences to family and friends x
|
|
mmmbop
Simon Hunt
Posts: 1,064
|
Post by mmmbop on Mar 4, 2009 21:53:52 GMT
R.I.P
Sadly i didnt know him but always sad to lose a true a hockey fan.
My feelings go out to Dave and his family.
Words are never easy to write on times like these.
I know, as am sure many others do, what its like to lose a parent.
God bless to you all x
|
|
Walter
Lorne Smith
Bunch of Dumb Asses
Posts: 666
|
Post by Walter on Mar 4, 2009 22:38:00 GMT
Reading the posts on this thread, I realize that we have lost two big hearted men this week. One I met, and considered a friend (DP), and the other I would have liked to have met, and been able to call a friend.
My sympathy's go to you and your family BDS, at this sad time.
In Ice Hockey we may be rivals, and seem poles apart, but just take off the team colours and we are all the same underneath, united in a passion for our sport. Rest Easy Now Owen, and look down on the NIC on Saturday, for you will see the biggest rivals in British Ice Hockey, join together in making noise like as never been heard in the NIC before, and will possibly never be heard again. All for you and DP
Julie 'n' Phil H
|
|
Shaggy
Forum Moderator
Am I a cynical idealist or an idealistic cynic?
Posts: 10,995
|
Post by Shaggy on Mar 4, 2009 22:56:41 GMT
I'm not sure if I ever met Owen or not, but I've known BDS for years... and it sounds like he's a chip off the old block. We're human beings first, hockey fans second... and only then do we get down to the colour of jersey worn. At times like this, that last seems largely irrelevant. It seems that everyone who knew Owen liked him - not just what I've read here on the Cage, but speaking to other people.
People is what it's all about... and as long as people are remembered, they're never completely gone. That goes for Owen, that goes for Dave Page, Andy Smith last year, the late great Steve "Ginger Monster" Elton who we lost a few years ago, and more.
Gone but not forgotten.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2009 20:31:52 GMT
Absolutely devasted when Dave rang me up in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Even more so after knowing his op was a sucess
Truely one of the nicest men ive had the privilage of meeting .
Me and leanne were fortunate enough to have as a friend of ours .
Owen you will be greatly missed.
RIP fella Ian and leanne
|
|
|
Post by Big Dave Steeler on Mar 5, 2009 21:09:13 GMT
Some words from his Wife
|
|
|
Post by HeartsAndKisses on Mar 6, 2009 17:53:42 GMT
Ive never had the honour of meeting Owen but RIP fella x
its going to be a very sad time in the arena on saturday x
|
|
|
Post by Big Dave Steeler on Mar 7, 2009 10:04:36 GMT
I would like to inform people, that Owen Grant's funeral is next Thursday (12/03/2009) At Grenoside crematorium (Postcode S35 8RZ) The funeral is at 2:45pm and the family requests that it is not to be a black funeral, therefore we would like people to wear sporting colours (Hockey, Football, Cricket, Rugby etc) to ensure that it is a celebration. Something we are sure that he would like.
As it is a cremation, we would like family flowers only. Instead of sending flowers, if you would like to make a donation to the UK Forum All Stars (a weekend that my dad put in a lot of work in last year, and was looking forward to again this year) any monies donated will be in memory of Owen Grant. If these could be sent to:
101 Musgrave Crescent Sheffield S5 7DR.
Thank you very much.
The Grant Family
|
|
DaveE
David Clarke
Posts: 3,000
|
Post by DaveE on Mar 8, 2009 18:56:12 GMT
I would like to inform people, that Owen Grant's funeral is next Thursday (12/03/2009) At Grenoside crematorium (Postcode S35 8RZ) The funeral is at 2:45pm and the family requests that it is not to be a black funeral, therefore we would like people to wear sporting colours (Hockey, Football, Cricket, Rugby etc) to ensure that it is a celebration. Something we are sure that he would like. As it is a cremation, we would like family flowers only. Instead of sending flowers, if you would like to make a donation to the UK Forum All Stars (a weekend that my dad put in a lot of work in last year, and was looking forward to again this year) any monies donated will be in memory of Owen Grant. If these could be sent to: 101 Musgrave Crescent Sheffield S5 7DR. Thank you very much. The Grant Family I'll be there as you full well know. I'll speak to you laters about the day
|
|
|
Post by wonderkiller72 on Mar 8, 2009 19:56:37 GMT
I would like to inform people, that Owen Grant's funeral is next Thursday (12/03/2009) At Grenoside crematorium (Postcode S35 8RZ) The funeral is at 2:45pm and the family requests that it is not to be a black funeral, therefore we would like people to wear sporting colours (Hockey, Football, Cricket, Rugby etc) to ensure that it is a celebration. Something we are sure that he would like. As it is a cremation, we would like family flowers only. Instead of sending flowers, if you would like to make a donation to the UK Forum All Stars (a weekend that my dad put in a lot of work in last year, and was looking forward to again this year) any monies donated will be in memory of Owen Grant. If these could be sent to: 101 Musgrave Crescent Sheffield S5 7DR. Thank you very much. The Grant Family I'll be there as you full well know. I'll speak to you laters about the day +1 David as you are well aware mate
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2009 7:40:19 GMT
over 350 came and paid their respects to the great man yesterday , absolute superb send off. Most of the steelers team and Matsos and O Connor came too which was nice, and nice to see so many in the their hockey jerseys as well. It just showed how much Owen was thought of.
Once again Owen RIP
|
|
DaveE
David Clarke
Posts: 3,000
|
Post by DaveE on Mar 13, 2009 13:47:17 GMT
Was simply breathtaking at the amount of people there. We followed the coffin to the crematorium and when we went over the hill, to see over 350+ people left everyone speechless. Just goes to show that Owen was very well thought of. Owen had a good sense of humour. His song was 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' and brought a smile to everyone.
I was very proud of Dave for his speech also, as I'm sure others were. Dave wanted it to be a celebration of Owen's life and he got his wish. At least everyone inside had a smile on their face through the tears at some point.
The minister at one point during a few of his words went on to say 'The Steelers won the league for Owen this year, and I'm sure you'll all agree that they'll continue to do it for years to come'. A 'No' was said by myself (Panthers fan), Dan (Coventry fan) and Emma (Belfast fan - I think, I don't think she's sure) to the amusement of Ashley Tait and Ryan Finnerty and a few others in attendance.
RIP Owen. You shall be missed
|
|
|
Post by Big Dave Steeler on Mar 16, 2009 16:16:33 GMT
I would like to thank those who were able to attend last Thursday, and helped in their own way to make it the celebration that it was. It is in times like thes when you find out who your friends are, and for that I am more than grateful to all those who helped myself and my mum throughout the past two weeks. I'm sure that in weeks to come it will be difficult, but the support from everyone from within the hockey community i'm sure will pull us through So again, thank you very much to everyone for their support
|
|