Tributes start to pour in for Gary Burgess
MUCH-loved Channel Islands journalist Gary Burgess has died, aged 46.
Mr Burgess was diagnosed with terminal cancer in November 2020 and charted his remaining months of life in a blog which inspired many islanders.
In a message released following his peaceful death in the Jersey Hospice on New Year’s Day, he said:
‘I've had the best life. I've had the luckiest life. I met my soul mate and the love of my life who went on to become my husband. I got to work with some of the most amazing people in newsrooms and studios doing the job I absolutely adore. And I've been able to share my own relatively short time on this planet surrounded by friends and loved ones who have enriched my life in ways they may never truly understand.
‘My greatest sadness is the prospect of leaving all of that and all of them behind. The thought of doing that to Alan is unfathomable to process, but I also know the very people who've shown me love and support will now wrap up those feelings around him in the coming days. It's time for me to hand over my microphone and keyboard for others to do the talking about me, so let my final words simply be “thank you”. Every person in my life has, in their own way, helped me live my best life. That'll do.’
Guernsey Press journalist Emma Anderson had a in-depth interview with Mr Burgess which we published in October 2021.
https://guernseypress.com/news/features/2021/10/05/i-dont-want-anyone-mourning-me-for-years/
Mrs Anderson, who was also a personal friend, paid her own tribute today: ‘Gary’s absolute uniqueness came from deep within him. He maintained a childlike awe of the world and an enthusiasm for making human connections which surpassed anything his job required. He was wide-eyed, interested, inquisitive and willing to go to any lengths to help his friends, colleagues and anyone he felt needed his input.
‘In my last ‘official’ interview with him, he said one phrase which pretty much sums up the extraordinary man he was. He said: “For me the meaning of life is purpose – stamping something on the planet that makes it a shade better than it was before. If everyone does that, progress is made.”’
