[Image: A white man in a blue football shirt, holding a baby which has been cropped out]
Part 24 of a series of posts honoring the Grenfell Tower victims.
Gary Maunders, was visiting the 16th floor of Grenfell Tower
Gary Maunders didn’t live at Grenfell, but was staying with
Deborah Lamprell the night the fire started. He was 57 years old when he died.
His niece Channel went into depth about his life:
“Gary Maunders was extremely family-oriented; he loved his kids and mother dearly and was very fond of his nieces and nephews. Not a day passed where he wouldn’t talk to his mother or kids. Every evening he’d call to ask how their day had been and if they were okay.
Gary had a big heart. He would help anybody in need and was very giving. He was an old-school gentleman: caring, respectful, knowledgeable, charming and witty. He would always say “good morning” to the older generation and offer to help
them with their shopping trolleys or bags.As a young boy, Gary had the potential to become a professional footballer, after he got scouted by Arsenal. He wouldn’t fail to mention this nearly every time a match was on. But funnily enough, he later became a huge Manchester United supporter. He always said he never fulfilled his dream to be a footballer because of ‘being young and chasing the women’ as he put it, and he became a painter and decorator instead.”
Gary loved Martin Gaye, the inquiry heard, and in the video tribute his nieces played for the audience “What’s Going On” was heard in the background.
Gary had two children, 15 and 10.
“He loved his mum and kids, he loved them dearly. He’d always check in on them daily, to see if they were alright and to say that he loved them. They were his world.
“He wanted the best for everyone, always told the younger kids of the family to behave and do well in school. Heart of gold our uncle had.
“We truly miss him. It’s as if a massive chunk of our hearts has been ripped out of us.
“Sometimes there are no words to describe such feelings.
“He will always be remembered and carried on in memory. We hope he is at peace and continuing on up in heaven doing what he does best. Forever loved. Justice4Grenfell.”
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Sources
https://news.channel4.com/2017/grenfell-tower/
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/ng-interactive/2018/may/14/lives-of-grenfell-tower-victims-fire