Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)

Subject: Obit -Mick Gardiner - Teesside
From: GUEST,Betsy
Date: 01 May 14 - 07:11 PM

It is sad news that Mick lost his fight for this precious life of ours on Wednesday 30th April 2014.
All our thoughts are with Margaret his wife and Sarah.
Mick was a stalwart ,a steady-Eddie, ever to be relied upon to give a song with his guitar. A nice unassuming man, a good word for everyone and close to Vin, the Wilsons and all the performers who hail from this part of the world and all over the country.
A great supporter of Bernie Parry and local writers songs, and also a huge repertoire of Scottish songs (which was seemingly strange coming from this part of England) but I remember him always favouring the Scottish songs from us being teenagers.
He was instrumental in setting up the Welly Club along with the now defunct Billingham folk club and a regular attener / performer at Redcar folk club and any where else that Folk music was to be found .
Folk music was his passion and he loved everyone associated with the music and song and a genuine nice, nice bloke.
We shall miss him and his contribution.
God bless ya Mick . RIP.
From all on Teesside and much futher a field , thankyou.
Betsy

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: GUEST,Mike Wilson: The Wilson Family
Date: 02 May 14 - 03:33 AM

Spot on Pete. RIP Mick.

Mike Wilson
The Wilson Family

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: nutty
Date: 02 May 14 - 04:32 AM

I second every word Pete Betts wrote above. Mike had a lust for life and always met you with a smile.
Involved in folk music since the late 1960's he put one hundred percent into every song he sang. He will be very sorely missed, RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: GUEST,Fantum
Date: 02 May 14 - 01:20 PM

No more strange scottish songs about tartan clad cavemen
No more words that I couldn't understand
No more banter or exchange of witty comments
I am going to miss that man

My deepest sympathy to his family

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: Betsy
Date: 02 May 14 - 08:11 PM

It seems like a bit trite or perhaps some otherword I can't call to mind but, tonight there was a long time organised fund raiser for Saltburn Folk festival where Vin finished the evening. Every singer had kind words for Mick.
Maybe the event should have been called-off, which is a fair enough thought , but I was left with the feeling that if it had been someone else's demise , Mick would have been singing and praising the departed and there was definitely a feeling that there was some great togetherness in the evening in remembering Mick.

On top of all THAT , many of us are great admirers (including Vin) of El Greco - George to you and me , fabulous guy, who was performing approx 4 miles away ,but, time and it's nuances contrived to deprive us of the opprtunity of seeing him , becuse it was a case of first-things-first, in being together in the memory of Mick.
I understand arrangements have been made for the 13th May but I'm sure someone will firm up these arrangements in due course.

I hope someone will bring this post to George's notice.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: GUEST,silas
Date: 03 May 14 - 05:36 AM

I think george does monitor posts on mudcat

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: folkypaul
Date: 03 May 14 - 08:04 AM

I knew him for years nice man.
Saw him last at Greatham (2012? 2014?)first time for over 15 years, he was as sarcastic as ever.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: Young Buchan
Date: 03 May 14 - 06:09 PM

I remember Mick warmly as both a fellow singer and a fellow teacher. A very nice man with a considerable knowledge of folk music. He was one of the few people I knew who had the confidence to join in when I sang John o'Breadislee - though somehow we never quite came to a mutual agreement as to what the tune was going to be!

Condolences to the family.
Derek B

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: GUEST,slowerairs
Date: 03 May 14 - 09:02 PM

This is so sad, my thoughts go to his family. I knew Mick when I lived in Teesside, both as a performer and a friend. God bless you Mick, you will always stay in my memory.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: GUEST,Cliff Healey
Date: 04 May 14 - 04:52 AM

A very nice man & will be missed around the local folk clubs.

Condolences to his family

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: nutty
Date: 05 May 14 - 08:54 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: Betsy
Date: 06 May 14 - 06:04 AM

I believe arrangements for Micks funeral will be on May 13th.
I (or others) will supply details shortly.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: folkypaul
Date: 06 May 14 - 06:05 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: collierlad
Date: 06 May 14 - 07:46 PM

I first meet Mike some forty years or more ago at the Cutty Wren Folk Club when it met in the Royal Hotel Redcar, were Hollywood actress & gob shite June Laverick was Landlady at that time. Our paths cross again later when I moved to Billingham where he was a regular at the Smiths Arms, before he moved to Marske. When ever I was over East Cleveland I always knew if I visited the Guisborough or The Cutty Wren Folk Clubs, as I did a lot last year I'd always get a warm welcome from him. Its going to be really hard to imagine him not been there when I visit again..

Mike not only contributed great songs to any session, but his witty anecdotes were something else. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him, but will never be forgotten. RIP old mate.

"But I'am glad that I have known you
Since the time that I was young
The stories that we've shared
And the countless songs we've sung
So if one day I'm missing here as missing I shall be
Just raise a glass & sing an old old song for me."
Lyrics Matt Armour.

Brian C

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: GUEST
Date: 07 May 14 - 09:04 AM

I am told that the arrangements for Mikes funeral will be in the Evening Gazette tonight (Wed)

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: collierlad
Date: 07 May 14 - 03:45 PM

Evening Gazzette Middlesbrough 7th May 2014

GARDINER

Michael (Mike) On April 30, peacefully in hospital, aged 67 years. Beloved husband of Margaret, treasured father of Sarah also a dearly loved brother, brother-in-law and uncle. Requiem Mass to be held in St Bede's R.C. Church, Marske on Tuesday May 13, at 10.00am prior to cremation at Kirkleatham Crematorium. Friends please meet at Church. No flowers by request; donations in lieu please to Leukaemia Research.

"May he rest in peace"

Enquiries to Fawcett & Hetherington Funeral Service. 01642 459555.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: GUEST,guest Betsy
Date: 08 May 14 - 07:38 PM

Thanks Collier lad - sorted

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: GUEST,guest Betsy
Date: 12 May 14 - 10:55 AM

Refresh..............

Arrangements are above in Collierlad's Post

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: GUEST,guest Betsy
Date: 13 May 14 - 07:05 PM

Just to let peope who couldn't attend , Mick was given a grand farewell with the church overflowing so much so that a couple of dozen of us couldn't get into the church.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 May 14 - 02:31 PM

Great send off for Mike on Tuesday. Good choice of hymn's and a lovely eulogy from Mike's daughter Sarah, well done Sarah.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: GUEST,Guest - JGx
Date: 17 May 14 - 06:14 AM

My thoughts and prayers are with Margaret and Sarah.

Treasured memories of a gentle man who shared - his song, his music, his laughter and sometime a wee nip from his hip flask. Thank you Mike, you gave craic and gezellig true meaning.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: GUEST,John Hall
Date: 18 Jun 14 - 11:34 AM

Lost touch with the folk world some 30 years ago. Remember Mick as one of the nicest people in our group. Very sorry to hear this news.Thoughts go to Margaret and Sarah I presume his daughter

Subject: RE: Obit: Mick Gardiner - Teesside (30 Apr 2014)
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 19 Jun 14 - 04:05 AM

Sorry Betsy, just saw this... Sorry to hear of Mick's departure and your loss of what had clearly been a dear friend. But no worries about the fundraiser being on the same night as my gig - heck, had I known, I might have dropped in!

As it turned out, I finished that gig with the Last Song - it could have been dedicated to Mick:

If this is the last song, don't let it be sad.
Let faces be smiling; let hearts now be glad.
For there is no reason our parting to mourn:
For each thing a season, for each night a dawn.
So join in the chorus, let voices go free;
If this is the last song, please sing it with me.

R.I.P. Mick