A unique funeral procession takes place in North Berwick tomorrow (Thursday) to remember the life of “kind, gentle and lovable” Kyle Belshaw.
Kyle passed away at the age of 36 on January 29 in North Berwick.
He grew up in West Barns, attending the village primary school before going to Dunbar Grammar School.
He moved to North Berwick about six years ago, working as a joiner and landscaper, and became a regular at The Auld Hoose pub, say his family.
Kyle was also a talented footballer, playing for Dunbar United Colts and West Barns Star.
Marion Belshaw, Kyle’s mum, told the Courier that he was “a good boy and a good man” who would be sorely missed.
She said: “He had his faults but who doesn’t? He would rather stop a fight than start one.
“He was kind, gentle and lovable, and he was loved by everyone who met him – because he was a bit crazy!”
His sudden death came as a shock to his friends and family, who set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for his funeral.
After an initial target of £2,500, it has now raised nearly £5,000, allowing the family to create a special service that celebrates Kyle’s life to the full.
Marion added: “We weren’t expecting it at all. We are amazed how people got behind us.
“What they’ve done for him is amazing; there is no way that we would have been able to do this for him.
Marion stressed that she also wanted to raise awareness and encourage others who need help to speak about it.
She said: “It’s about raising awareness, if you’ve got problems, get help. Because my son didn’t do that and now he’s gone.”
She added her thanks to M and F Funeral Services for putting everything together to celebrate Kyle’s life in such a unique way.
The funeral procession itself will start at the east end of North Berwick High Street from 10.45am with friends and family expected to line the street.
Jordan Allan, a funeral conductor from M and F Funeral Services in Musselburgh, is organising the procession with his brother in a “non traditional” way to honour Kyle’s memory.
Jordan is a close friend of Kyle’s partner Diane and was “dedicated to do something extra for Kyle.”
As a result Kyle’s coffin has been painted black and covered in his favourite band’s stickers such as Linkin Park, Slipknot and Papa Roach.
His favourite music will also be played loudly as his coffin passes down the High Street.
His father Davie told the Courier about the importance of music in Kyle’s life and was glad that this would be honoured during his funeral.
He said: “He loved music just as much as I did. We got him into it at an early age and it meant an awful lot to him because it made him really happy.
“Even if he wasn’t a great singer, he knew every lyric of every song.”
He added: “He was one of those boys that could make friends anywhere.
“There was something about Kyle that everybody loved.
“He had a cheeky smile and a glint in his eyes and you knew he was a kind hearted person.”
Lastly the hearse will contain a traffic cone next to his coffin, paying tribute to his reputation of coming home with at least one cone after a night out.
The route will see the hearse travel along the street until the reaching one of his favourite pubs, the Golfer’s Rest.
It will then leave for the service at Seafield Crematorium at 12pm.
Louise Christie, Kyle’s partner’s sister, said that Kyle was a wonderful guy and had “left a massive hole” with his passing.
She said: “He was an absolutely great guy – he never had a bad word to say about anyone.
“He was was always trying to please and would do anything for you.
“The whole of North Berwick loved him and as soon as he met anyone for the first time, you’d be friends for life.
Louise added that everyone was still in shock at his passing and that he was always looking out for everyone else that he never shared where he was mentally.
She added: “He has left a massive hole that will never be filled.
Speaking of the funeral procession itself, Louise said it epitomised Kyle.
She said: “It’s a very Kyle style send-off – he was always remembered for his music taste and he loved singing.”
She added that the cone in the coffin was a nice added touch as his friends would often “wake up to 10 traffic cones in their front garden.”
“North Berwick is not going to be the same without him. It’s great that we can give him this final journey down the High Street.”
A celebration of Kyle’s life will take place at the Golfers Rest in North Berwick from about 2.30pm onwards and all are welcome to attend.
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