Family and friends shared laughter and tears as they said their final goodbyes to Workington man Nicholas Degraff.
The 23-year-old was remembered during an emotional and packed out service at St Michael’s this morning.
Nicholas’ coffin was carried into the service to Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin – a nod to both his love of music and festivals – and was decorated with sunflowers provided by the family.
The hymn during the service was Eternal Father, Strong to Save.
Leading the celebration of Nicholas’ life was Reverend Ian Grainger, who read out the eulogy on behalf of the family.
“If you had said to anyone two months ago that we would be gathering here this morning for this service, I am absolutely certain no one would believe me,” he said.
“It is sad we are here. Some people including me didn’t want to be here. Not out of disrespect, but because it doesn’t seem right.
“At the same time we do want to be here to pay tribute to a young man who was taken in tragic circumstances, many would say far too soon.”
He went on to say Nicholas was “one in a million” and that the number of people who attended the service showed he was a “very popular person”.
“He brought so much to life in such a short space of time,” added the Reverend.
“Our time together today isn’t enough to do him justice.”
A fabricated welder, Nicholas or “Nicholas John when he was in trouble”, had a passion for heavy metal music, Stella and any alcohol “he could get his hands on”, Reverend Grainger said.
He also had a deep affection for his German Shepherd dog Leia, as well as tattoos and piercings.
He was described as “hard-working and sometimes hard work”, a line that led to warm laughter from those at the service.
One line which he often uttered to his mum Hilary was, “You’ll never guess what’s happened, but it wasn’t me”, said the Reverend.
A prankster at heart, Nicholas could often be found tying together the shoelaces of youngsters as he watched them fall over.
“He was very good at going missing, which looking back brought laughs and smiles, but today, under the circumstances, it’s a different feel to that,” said Reverend Grainger.
“We will cherish every single memory that we have of Nic” and he will “forever be in our hearts”, added the Reverend.
The eulogy was followed by an emotional poem read out by Nicholas’ sister, Charlotte Degraff.
On behalf of the family, Reverend Grainger thanked all those who helped in the search for Nicholas, who was missing for more than a month before his body was found in Workington harbour on January 21.
Prayers were then followed by Wrecked by Imagine Dragons, with Green Day’s Time of Your Life played as the leaving music.
Donations were accepted for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Cumbria Crack attended the service with permission from the family.
