Tears and tributes as fatally injured cyclist farewelled
The traditional colour of mourning filled Hamilton Gardens pavilion as family and friends gathered to farewell Hamilton man Craig Goulsbro yesterday.
But it was the pockets of vibrant colour dotted throughout the gathering of more than 500 well-wishers that best hinted at the 49-year-old’s enduring passion.
Cyclists, dressed in bright lycra, cut a striking presence as relatives, mates and work colleagues stood to share stories of man who loved to ride, to win and, more than anything, loved his family.
Some wept openly during the many tributes while others hid their grief behind dark sunglasses.
Mr Goulsbro was fatally injured when he was hit by a car while riding with a group of 16 cyclists on the outskirts of Hamilton last Monday.
Yesterday’s service began with Mr Goulsbro’s family forming a tight circle around his coffin and lighting a candle of remembrance.
Sister-in-law Tracey Parker recalled the bedside vigil the family had kept at Waikato Hospital and their disbelief at watching the father-of-one take his last breath.
Ms Parker spoke on behalf of Mr Goulsbro’s wife, Sharleen, who said Mr Goulsbro ‘‘was so much more than a husband and father’’.
‘‘You were my soul mate . . . you’re the sunshine in my life, the hero in my world.’’
Friend Lance Fink said Mr Goulsbro was ‘‘a straight-up bloke, an entertainer, a Holden enthusiast and a committed sportsman’’.
Mr Goulsbro completed the New Zealand Ironman in 2009.
‘‘He had this laugh that when you were socialising it made you want to pour another wine,’’ he said.
Mr Fink said he wasn’t a cyclist like Mr Goulsbro and wished his mate had been sharing his couch with him last Monday evening rather than riding on
A mourner slumps on his bike outside yesterday’s funeral for Craig Goulsbro. the roads. ‘‘Craig you’ve won your race but you’ve finished it too early,’’ he said.
Bob’s Bikes owner Bob Puru said Mr Goulsbro was an experienced cyclist who was always willing to help novice riders.
‘‘He would show less experienced riders how to ride up hills and how to ride their bikes...people who weren’t really cyclists but loved bikes like he did,’’ Mr Puru said.
Family and friends referred only briefly to Mr Goulsbro’s road death. However, one speaker urged people to consider road safety when voting at this year’s local government elections.
‘‘We need to learn to share the roads with cyclists . . . and tell the council we want more protection on the roads,’’ she said.
Police have yet to lay charges over the incident.