by Lynn Cox

Firefighters stood in line and formed a guard of honour to say farewell to their colleague, friend and watch manager, Chris Peacock.

His funeral service was held at Medway Crematorium today, where his grieving family held a celebration of his life.

Chris, 51, pictured, was a crew manager at Thames-side station, Gravesend, where he collapsed on Sunday, March 4, while in the gym. He was off duty at the time.

Chris, who lived in Leybourne Close, Walderslade, was married to Tina and had two children, Stacey and James, and was about to become a grandad for the first time.

Both Stacey and James paid tribute to their dad during the service, with Stacey telling the hundreds of people there that her dad was her soulmate.

Firefighters from across the county, along with many of his friends from the football world, lined up from the entrance of the crematorium to the doors of the chapel to form the guard of honour as the hearse containing his coffin and family entered.

James was one of six people who helped carry his coffin into the chapel.

The service, which included some of his favourite songs, including Fix You by Coldplay, was held at 10.40am at the crematorium in Robin Hood Lane, Blue Bell Hill, Chatham.

His family invited all the mourners to a gathering at the Village Hotel in Maidstone afterwards.

See Monday’s Medway Messenger for the full story.