With wreaths made of flowers in the colours of his beloved Eagles, well-wishers came together to say goodbye to Councillor Gerry Ryan.
Members of the Commercial Workers Union joined with councillors and Coun Ryan’s family and friends at his funeral at St John the Baptist Church, Purley, on Monday.
Croydon Council leader Coun Tony Newman said the sheer number of people who went showed just how loved the Selhurst ward councillor had been.
He said: “It showed both in terms of Gerry’s massive contribution to the Labour Party and his trade union, the CWU.
“It showed the huge appreciation and admiration for the work he had done as a campaigning local councillor and trade unionist.
“I’m happy to add his family were truly moved by the sheer numbers of people that had come out to the event and that the mayor of the borough had spoken so eloquently at the service.”
Coun Ryan lost his battle with cancer on his 57th birthday, on January 18.
Tributes paid to Selhurst councillor and Crystal Palace fan Gerry Ryan
He had represented the Whitehorse Manor and Selhurst wards for 16 years.
He had lived in Croydon since 1975 when he moved here with his family and started a BT electromechanical apprenticeship.
The father-of-two was first elected to Croydon Council in 1998 and was known as a massive Crystal Palace fan.
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