Huge floral tributes at boxer’s funeral
FLORAL tributes in the shape of a McDonald’s Happy Meal, bottles of Jack Daniel’s and Grey Goose vodka, boxing rings and a giant boxer were driven through the streets yesterday in honour of a title-winning amateur boxer.
Shane Thomas, 22, was killed when a van he was travelling in hit a parked car in Pontypool on August 5.
Streets were brought to a standstill as the horse-drawn carriage carrying the coffin, limousines carrying mourners and flat-bed trucks bearing the floral tributes were driven from Pontypool along the A4042 to Cwmbran.
People stopped to watch the cortege as it headed on the six-mile route to the service at Pontymoile Undenominational Christian Mission, before a second service at his gym in Grange Industrial Estate, Llanfrechfa Way, and a final farewell as he was laid to rest at Llwyncelyn Cemetery.
Police blocked off Clarence Road at the Christian Mission to allow the horse-drawn carriage carrying an ornate white and blue coffin, to arrive at the church.
The two white horses had a plume of sky blue feathers between their ears and blue cloth draped from their flanks.
Hundreds of mourners, some dressed in dark jeans and bright white T-shirts emblazoned with the words: Rest In Peace Shane, simply the best, gathered around to welcome the cortege.
An image of Shane, in a victorious boxing pose, was printed on their backs.
Six silver cars, each carrying two flags depicting Shane’s face, pulled up behind the carriage and family members got out. All wore crisp white shirts and an item of sky blue.
There was total silence as a red carpet was rolled out from the church doorway. The coffin was carried into the church flanked by five men each side.
People lined the road opposite the church, the other side of the dual carriageway, to catch a glimpse of the crowds and colourful floral tributes.
Six pick-up trucks waited on the pavement with colourful tributes on the back. Flowers in all shapes and sizes depicted some of the things Shane was best known for.
The brief service at Pontymoile Undenominational Christian Mission was conducted by Reverend John Funnell from Noddfa Church, Abersychan.
Mourners, who started filing into the church at 10am, listened to the welcome, prayers and a time of reflection before singing Amazing Grace.
After the eulogy and final prayers, the service ended and mourners began a slow procession onto the main road.
The coffin, with the words “a legend never dies” stenciled on its side, made its way back down Clarence Road, pulled by the two white horses.
Family rode in a silver Ford transit van, which belonged to Shane, immediately behind the coffin.
Almost 1,000 people had gathered for the funeral and they joined the procession in their own vehicles. Officers from Gwent Police went on ahead to close the road and manage traffic.
In the days after the fatal crash, friends and family from all over the country placed balloons and flowers on the ground to create a beautiful and moving tribute to the young man.
Described as an “inspiration to everyone”, Mr Thomas was a well-known face among the Pontypool community.