IT WAS standing room only in church—with 150 more mourners gathered outside—as family and friends bid farewell to swine flu victim Dean “Deano” Brown.
In total nearly 300 were present as the 44-year-old’s coffin was wheeled into Holy Trinity Church, Dalton, today to the sound of Robbie Williams’ Angels.
Dad-of-three Dean, of Hounsfield Road in East Herringthorpe, died from the H1N1 flu strain on January 5 after being taken ill on New Year’s Eve.
The former bouncer was described by family as a gentle giant and a people person with a heart of gold.
One tribute added: “He was like a firework, full of sparkle and lighting everything up. Everything about him was good and he enjoyed his life.”
Hymns during the 45-minute service included Lord of the Dance and Such Love. His coffin, adorned with white lilies, emerged from the Dalton Lane church while rapper Tupac Shakur’s Unconditional Love was played in the background.
Afterwards many of this relatives, former colleagues and well-wishers raised a glass to Dean at Thrybergh’s top club.
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