Widow’s tribute to ‘gold standard of men’

THE widow of a man killed by a shark while on honeymoon has told mourners how she “longed for him” to come out of the sea and be back with her whenever he was swimming.

Describing Ian Redmond as the most “handsome and perfect man”, Gemma Redmond, 27, said she would live with her husband “in her heart”.

About 500 people attended the funeral at St Michael and All Angels Church in the West Lancashire village of Dalton yesterday, where the couple were married earlier this month.

A lone bagpipe player led the procession inside as Mrs Redmond followed behind, clasped tightly by her parents David and Coleta Houghton.

Mr Redmond’s parents, Stephen and Corinne, and his brother Paul brought up the rear.

Just ten days after the wedding ceremony, while on honeymoon in the Seychelles, the IT specialist was savaged by a shark as he swam off Anse Lazio beach on Praslin, the second largest island in the archipelago.

The couple were due to set up home in Skelmersdale on their return in a cottage that Mr Redmond, 30, had refurbished.

Mrs Redmond, a primary school teacher, was shaking as she went into the church but composed herself to give a lengthy, heartfelt tribute to her “darling husband Ian” – “my soulmate and best friend”.

She recalled her wedding day, which was “quite simply the most wonderful day of my life”, and then their honeymoon.

“Each and every time you went swimming and snorkelling and I watched you, I could never quite believe that I was married to you,” she said.

“You were the most handsome and perfect man I have ever seen and I always longed for you to come back out of the sea and be back with me.”

She added: “Whilst I cannot believe that you are gone, I am in shock and hurting so very much. I am comforted and consoled by the rich tapestry of our memories that we formed over our nine years together.”

Up to 300 people packed the church for the service conducted by the Rev Tim Barton, while about 200 more stood outside within the grounds and listened to the service on loudspeakers.

Father Michael Howarth, who was priest at Holy Saviours RC Church in Nelson, where Mr Redmond was an altar boy, read out his parents’ tribute on their behalf.

Mr Redmond a former pupil of Fisher More High School and Nelson and Colne College, had excelled in exams before going on to gain a honours degree in computer science from the University of Manchester.

It was there in his final year that he met his future wife.

“On Christmas Eve 2009 Ian romantically proposed marriage to Gemma,” the priest said. “Kneeling on the doorstep of Gemma’s family home in Dalton with a bottle of champagne, a red rose and a giant simulated engagement ring. “The answer was most certainly ‘yes’.”

They shared their news at midnight Mass at the church where they were to wed and then began the search for their dream home, Fr Howarth said.

The keen Burnley FC fan had a wide range of active interests including rock-climbing and road cycling. Fr Howarth said he was “smart, athletic, with boundless energy and a ready smile on his face”. He added: “He enriched so many lives.

“He would undoubtedly say his greatest achievement was to have been married to Gemma, whom he loved so very much.”

Mrs Redmond said her husband was referred to by his work colleagues at the IT firm Cegedim Rx in Leyland as the “gold standard” of software developers because of his dedication to his work.

“But you were also the gold standard of men – always smiling, always finding time for the family and friends that you loved so dearly, you were never cross, just kind,” she said.

“Above all, you were the gold standard of husbands. Amazing, courageous, inspiring, entertaining, patient and loving.”

Mrs Redmond’s father David placed a symbol during the service of his son-in-law’s tool belt – marking his commitment and endeavour in renovating the cottage in Roby Mill.

The Queen song You’re My Best Friend played before committal took place in the church graveyard.