TRIBUTES have been paid to a community worker who died after a brave battle against cancer.
Friends, family and co-workers of Steve Gautrey, 35, originally of Beaumaris, attended his funeral at Bangor crematorium last week.
Steven, who lived in Llanfairfechan, was the manager of the Iorwerth Rowlands Centre in Beaumaris, and chairman Richard Owen said he had worked “exceptionally hard” to keep the centre going since he started his work there four years ago.
“Steven was the most popular manager we have ever had.Nothing was too much trouble for him with the youth and the over 50s,” he said.
The former Ysgol David Hughes pupil was born in Devon, but moved with his family to Beaumaris when he was 12.
He was diagnosed with cancer three months ago, and had started chemotherapy, but passed away on October 31.
“Steven was exceptionally brave. He still came into work until about five days before he died,” Mr Owen said.
The qualified mental health nurse was as a community development worker for Digartref Mon until 2003.
Chief executive Andrew Reid said that Steven kept in touched with Digartref Mon after he left the agency.
“although he started out as a part time project worker, he was quickly promoted to become a full time community development worker,” he said.
“He had a great deal of patience when working with young people who were leading chaotic lives, and he had a great aptitude for the work.”