A MOTORCYCLIST who was killed in a horror road crash while riding his beloved bike was given a colourful send-off by family and friends.
George Kelly, from Kilbarchan, suffered fatal injuries in the tragic incident, which took place on the A82, near Inverbeg, last month.
His death has left loved ones devastated – but they were determined to make sure his funeral was also a celebration of his life.
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With this in mind, more than 60 bikers from across Scotland formed a guard of honour to accompany Mr Kelly’s funeral cortege.
And, instead of following tradition by wearing black, his wife Diane honoured his memory by donning her wedding dress.
Diane described the send-off as a “lovely” way to pay tribute to her 66-year-old husband.
She told The Gazette: “There were tears of joy and sadness.
“We were just all sad that he was taken too soon from us but it was amazing to see all of the people who turned out to remember George.
“What a send-off it was for him. People kept coming up to say to me what a wonderful occasion it was. But it wasn’t me. It was everyone who turned out to celebrate his life.”
Mr Kelly was on his way to meet Diane when his bike collided with a silver Skoda estate car.
The great-grandfather, who was travelling to Tarbert, died at the scene.
He was laid to rest at Woodside Crematorium, in Paisley, last week.
Mr Kelly was an electrical engineer by trade but previously owned Benston Garage, in Johnstone.
As well as being a keen motorcyclist, he was well known to music fans across Renfrewshire as part of the band ThunderRoad.
He had two daughters, Mandi and Michelle, and a late son, Jason, from a previous relationship, as well as five grandchildren.
Mandi read a poem at Mr Kelly’s funeral before loved ones gathered for a wake at Linwood Recreation Club.
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Diane, 54, continued: “The eulogies were so nice about George but no-one ever had a bad word to say about him.
“Members from all of the different bands George had played in joined us and they all played their own tribute to him.
“There are a lot of people he touched in his life and this was how he would have wanted to be remembered.”
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