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Karl Mazurek: Family and friends mourn 'winner' Karl
HE made friends wherever he went, and on Monday (29 June) more than 200 of them gathered to pay their respects to popular footballer Karl Mazurek, whose sudden death shocked them all.
HE made friends wherever he went, and on Monday (29 June) more than 200 of them gathered to pay their respects to popular footballer Karl Mazurek, whose sudden death shocked them all.Just hours after enjoying a laughter-filled day with his family at a football tournament, Peterborough Sunday Afternoon league star Karl collapsed on his bed.
Despite his partner, Amanda Cunningham (30), giving him the kiss of life and paramedics' efforts to revive him, he died from a brain aneurysm. He was just 34.
Related:
Tributes after sudden death of Karl Mazurek, 25 June 2009.
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His loved ones made the decision to donate his organs so four people's lives could be saved.
Yesterday, on a bright and sunny day, friends and family arrived at Peterborough Crematorium to say their final goodbyes to the man whose laughs and jokes won over all those he met.
Karl and Amanda's children, Corey (10) and Ethan (7), and Amanda's two, Kyle (13) and Shannon (12), were among the mourners.
In pin-drop silence, his prized silver Audi TT, with the numberplate K7RL K, was driven behind the hearse.
Bouquets of white flowers spelling his name, his special numberplate and a football surrounded his coffin.
His children hugged each other and other family members as they walked into the chapel.
More than 200 people packed into the building, with many more listening on the loudspeakers outside.
The Reverend David Parkes summed up their feelings by saying: "There is only joy at his memory, but a sadness, too, for his sudden death. And yet, even in that, there is life. Through organ donation, he has brought life to others."
His brother, Lee, read All is Well by Henry Holland, pausing at the poignant line "laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together".
In place of hymns, songs that held meaning for Karl were played at the service, including Estelle's American Boy, Alexander O'Neal's Never Knew Love Like This and T Pain's Church, which he and his children used to dance to together.
His best friend, Dave Hicks, gave a heartfelt tribute, his voice faltering as he remembered Karl's special qualities.
He said the former Walton School pupil, who grew up in Gunthorpe, and went on to live in Pittneys, Paston, was a "winner".
"I feel so sad standing here talking about Karl, when I just wish he was here with us," he said.
"There is only one word for Karl: winner. He had to be on the winning side and didn't like coming second. He had a gift in that he was good at everything he picked up or took part in. I always wanted Karl on my side."
As the mourners filed out into the sunshine, his children released a balloon as a tribute to their father.
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