Stewart was an amazing
person - A wonderful husband, a fantastic brother, a loving son and an
adored uncle. He was also a brilliant friend and colleague and will be
missed by so many people. His family are determined that his death will never
be in vain and are doing their part to beat bowel cancer for good. We are fundraising for the Bobby Moore Fund
which is part of Cancer Research UK and specialises in research into bowel
cancer. If you wish to donate to the
fund, you can via https://www.justgiving.com/Geraldine-Smith3
.
If you haven’t already
done so, please read the article which recently appeared in the Daily Record
and learn from Stewart’s story that you must never be complacent. It makes grim reading for us, his family,
even though we were beside him throughout his ordeal, or battle; call it what
you will. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/heartbroken-widow-geraldine-smith-raises-3452997
His wish
was that The Grambler should continue after his death and I have been happy to
oblige. Welcome to The Grambler, the
most ill-informed blog you are ever likely to see. Read on and enjoy…
Let’s get the grambling out of
the way quickly, shall we? Four out five
predictions were correct last week. Head
to our ‘Winnings’ page to see how we are doing this season.
This week’s predictions? Once again, I will give you the deal without
the spiel…
Game -
Result – Odds
Stenhousemuir
vs Ayr – Prediction Away win – Evens
Stranraer vs
Dunfermline –
Prediction Away win – 5/6
If results go our way on our bet of 10 x 20p doubles
and 1 x 20p accumulator, then the Kick Bowel Cancer’s Backside Fund could
benefit by…
£12.09
Okay, let’s leave the usual stuff for now; normal
service will be resumed next week.
I promised a slightly
different version of the article this week.
One year ago, on the 29th of August 2013, Stewart David Smith
died. When I sent messages to everyone
telling them of the fact, I said simply this: Stewart’s suffering has
ended. It was true. The bowel cancer that killed him had caused
him untold suffering.
His death
affected many people; wife, family, friends, workmates. It also affected those people who had treated
him throughout his ordeal; the medical staff.
But this week’s thegrambler.com
is not going to dwell entirely on the sadness associated with his death. I have asked some close family and friends of
Stewart to give me a short message about Stewart. They were set no rules; it could be happy or
sad; short or long. In fact, whatever
they wanted to say. Here are some
memories of Stewart David Smith, aka Smit, aka The Grambler, aka Greg Evigan
(on B3ta.com)....
I
first met Stewart when we both worked at the local Co-op. I was not too keen on his hairstyle or
sarcastic nature. But as I got to know him I recognised what a genuinely nice
person he was; always polite and helpful to customers, even tolerant of Co-Op
Bob. When we discovered a mutual love of
Terrorvision I thought we were surely meant to be.
We
became best friends as well as husband and wife. Stewart was the kindest,
funniest, loveliest, bravest person I have ever known. It will never be
right that we won't get to grow old together. No matter what happens in
my life I will always love Stewart; I will always miss my best friend every day
and it will never be ok that he died aged 28.
I'm
not sure what I believe is waiting for us when our time comes, but the idea
that I will get to see my husband and best friend once more is one of the only
things that gives me a real sense of peace.
Geraldine Smith
Stewart was the wisest person I knew. Who ever heard of a father asking his son’s
opinion on anything? But that is how it
was with Stewart. He was the original
Grambler and, if you read the earlier articles written by him, you will see
that his knowledge of football was immense.
He was a lifelong Motherwell supporter and actually got me, his dad,
into supporting them.
He was a clever guy too. He did two degrees at university and had
ambitions to be a political adviser.
However, his two great passions in life were sport and
music. He swam for the local swimming
club from the age of 6, was a member of his school’s football team and
athletics team; he even tried the crazy sport of roller-blade hockey. As an adult, he ran many 10 k races,
eventually getting his personal best time down to a creditable 40 minutes.
He loved music and his tastes took in many genres, from
metal to synth with some classical and folk in between. I like to think he was influenced by my own
weird tastes – I introduced him to Kraftwerk, Ozric Tentacles and Fourtet. He introduced me to Animal Collective, The
Errors and F***buttons. If either of us
heard an interesting piece of music, the other was immediately informed of this
great ‘find’.
From his early teenage years he played the guitar;
rather well, actually. Like all
teenagers, he had aspirations to be a rock star and formed a band with his
friends. It had a typical Stewart name:
The Incredible Monkey Man.
As well as the guitar, Stewart could play, of all
instruments, the trombone. How uncool is
that? However, at one of TIMM’s gigs he
astounded everybody, including the other members of the band, by putting his
guitar down in the middle of a song, racing offstage, to return moments later
brandishing his trombone. I would like
to say he gave a brilliant impromptu performance. But I can’t.
It was dreadful. The other band
members, and Stewart too, couldn’t play for laughing. It certainly brought the house down (as theatrical
types say), but it was just awful.
However, everyone who was there that night would agree with me – it was
a never-to-be-forgotten moment in music.
Kevin Smith
To me Smit was a genuine, kind and caring person, who was
the same person from the first time I met him before P1 right up until we were
in our 20s (that's a long time). Smit
was one of those people who would go out of their way to help a friend no
matter what. He would be the one who would be the first to try out all the
stupid n senseless pranks (once the boys knew he was ok they would then
participate). I'm so glad that I got to
see him grow up from being one of the only Motherwell fans in primary to being
someone with a great sense of humour and who meant so much to everyone he
knew. I have lots of memories; some that
shouldn't be printed, but one I carry on at every BBQ I go to is that he
introduced me to cheese racing which, in turn, I try to teach everyone else.
Suzy Wilson
Stewart
was a diamond of a gentleman: a loyal and caring friend whom I shared a great
love of music with. Always was my right hand man for going to gigs with, he and
I shared many great times together at many different bands' gigs. While he may
well have been a master of the cringe factor with his jokes, he was a genuinely
funny and dependable guy who is still sadly missed. Stewart, Rest in Peace
buddy.
Michael Herd
I
think about Smit every day. The photo card that the family gave out (see below) sits on top
of my dressing table and I look at it every morning and try to smile, because
it tells me to. But sometimes it’s hard. Because it is so very sad and so many
people miss him so very much.
But Smit was incredibly funny, witty and silly, so he does make it slightly easier in that a lot of the memories I have involve him doing something daft or outrageous. (The worst of which I think we’ve relayed back to his mum. Sorry Smit!) So then you do smile, or laugh, because you’re glad you were there, that he had you in stitches, and you are lucky to have known him. And I think he’d prefer it that way.
But Smit was incredibly funny, witty and silly, so he does make it slightly easier in that a lot of the memories I have involve him doing something daft or outrageous. (The worst of which I think we’ve relayed back to his mum. Sorry Smit!) So then you do smile, or laugh, because you’re glad you were there, that he had you in stitches, and you are lucky to have known him. And I think he’d prefer it that way.
Julie-ann Murray
I always remember when Stewart would be attempting to
grow his hair long, but every time he got it to a certain length he would have
it cut, saying it was ‘at the Beatles stage’.
It took many such attempts to finally get it past that dreaded point.
Andrew MacDonald
Stewart was a kind, funny person. He was extremely brave throughout his
illness and kept his sense of humour throughout. He is missed by a lot of
people and it was a pleasure to have known him.
Lyndsey Murphy
We
think of you [Stewart’s family] and of Stewart so often, and although this day
brings to mind the sorrow of his passing, it is also an opportunity to revisit
some wonderful memories of him. I could list hundreds if not thousands of
moments I've had with Smit, but I feel that this statement below will summorise
Stewart’s role he played in our lives.
"Your refusal to be anything other than who you were, has cemented your place in the hearts of every person who loved you.
But perhaps your greatest legacy is the fact that those whom you loved, know they are loved still."
"Your refusal to be anything other than who you were, has cemented your place in the hearts of every person who loved you.
But perhaps your greatest legacy is the fact that those whom you loved, know they are loved still."
Andrew Tinney
I read something recently that struck a chord. It said
that missing someone isn't about how long it has been since you last saw them or
spoke. It is about that moment when you are doing something and wishing they
were right there with you. In the past year there have been many of these
moments; for me it is strongest when we are all together as a group or when
something funny happens, usually at john's expense! I find myself wishing he
was there to share the laughs, add a dry comment or, pre-hair cut, join in with
the nonsense! Although these moments can be terribly sad I like that it is fun
and laughter that spark my memories, it just seems so fitting for my funny
reformed nutter pal.
Miss you Smitney x
Debbie MacLennan
Someone once remarked, rather sagely, that
it's a funny old game. Someone else once sang, rather less sagely, that
you only swing when you're winning.
In the week that saw Liverpool replace a striker with bite with a
striker with a petted lip, Man Utd realise that the van gaals are well and
truly on the slates, and Celtic shaken all about in their game of Champion's
League hokey cokey, it is fitting that we remember Stewart's Rubbertoe Mankini and
Grambler blogs which aimed a well-placed kick in the go*lies at footie's
pompous pr*cks.
Irreverent? Of course it was. Irrelevant? Of
course it wasn't. It was a blog about football. By a bloody good
bloke.
Mitch Kerr
I
first met Smit in my first year of secondary school and we quickly became very
close friends and from the end of our 1st year to our last day in school we
walked to Claremont
Smit
also had a significant impact on my music taste introducing me to bands like
Iron Maiden, Pearl Jam, Kiss, and Poison but then again he did introduce me to
Ozric Tentacles. I don’t think there was ever a time where the Foos were in
town where we didn’t go see them. Whether it be Gigs, holidays, or pub quizzes
we always had a great time.
Stewart
may be gone but he will never be forgotten, the impact he had on my life was
significant. I could write pages and pages of memories and superlatives about
the man but I am no wordsmith like he was. I would not do him justice. The
memories highlighted and so many more will be etched in my mind forever. Never
a truer friend; never a nicer guy. He is missed every day.
Scott McGillivray
Smit was a great friend. We shared a passion for the random, going to
gigs and a well-considered wee dram. He
was one of my best mates and he will never be far from my thoughts. Without The Grambler and Rubbertoe Mankini
there may never have been a Meat Filled Pastries and I think we can all be
thankful for that.
Chris Marshall
As the anniversary of
Stewart’s death approaches I remember the bad times a year ago and the two
years leading up to it, but in remembering the bad times I can’t help but
remember some of the good times.
I remember when he was very young and we couldn’t get him to come out from
under the table when anyone came a visiting (or maybe that was just for me). I
am going to take this personally now as I also remember both him and Colin
would run from the room when I used to sing that Michael Jackson classic Heal
the World. This was a good tactic though if you wanted them to go up to their
room.
When he grew up he seemed to find my company a bit more palatable and I
have a treasured memory of having the honour of doing a reading at his wedding
to Geraldine. Other happy times included the lovely meals he and Geraldine made
for us and the many games nights we had where I would often accuse him and
Kevin of cheating especially at Scrabble.
Stewart you are sorely missed by everyone who knew you. It was a privilege
to have known you.
Definitely taken too soon!!
Rest in peace
Lots of Love
Linda Godfrey
Stewart (Smit) was always the
'quiet' one in our group as kids, or at least that's what the parents thought,
many a great night was had down the boating pond, up the Key (a youth club), Suzy’s
house and all the random streets we wandered for hours where he was always the
life and soul of the party, getting up to mischief and making us all laugh till
our sides hurt.
Kirsty Boyle
It’s hard to believe that’s a year past.
On some occasions it feels like a lifetime ago that we lost our friend and
that time has moved on. However, on
other occasions it still feels like yesterday that I received the phone call
informing me of the inevitable. One
thing is for sure though, that regardless of how long or short ago it seems,
Stewart will never be forgotten and still plays an influential part in all our
lives. His presence was still felt at
our good friend Steve’s wedding earlier this year and it will continue to be
felt as our group of friends progress through our own lives, taking each
challenge as it comes and taking absolutely nothing for granted as we have been
shown just how cruel and final our world can be. In Stewart’s memory, we will always be
connected and there’s not a single day that goes by where I don’t think of him
in some way. Some days I may think for
hours about how things could be different and what life would be like if
Stewart was still with us. Would he be
successful? Would he have children with Geraldine on the way? Would he have seen Terrorvision another 30
times? Other days I may only have
passing thoughts or memories about his love for Sublime or how ridiculous he
looked in that flame-patterned hat he wore each and every day for about three
years as a teenager. Either way though,
he is always on all of our minds.
Stewart was absolutely fantastic. There’s
just no other way of putting it. He was
there for his family when needed, he was there for his friends when needed. He spent more time making sure we were all
coping with his condition instead of making sure he was coping himself. I always felt that he made me assess my own
life, as he was the first of our team to take on the responsibility of growing
up. He was hilarious, witty, on some
occasions an absolute clown, but he had the ability to switch onto sensible
mode whenever necessary and that’s one of the many skills that led him to
become a great young man with a great future on the cards.
I understand the pain shall still be strong and that each day is a
challenge for all of Stewart’s family, but I pray that, one day, the hurt will
minimise and you will be able to think of his grin, smiling and be able to
remember how truly great he was without the great sadness being attached. He is still with you, you just don’t get to
feel his physical presence or hear his voice but I hope you all agree that deep
down, he will never truly leave any of us.
I can imagine the following lines being put to a classic pop punk song with
Stewart racing through four random power chords on a continuous loop and myself
piercing everyone in the room’s ear drums with a mix of screeching and out of
tune chanting in true Incredible Monkey Man style.
‘We’re one down but we’re still strong. My friend for life, farewell, so
long.
Your memory lives on and on, As another star is shining down on us’
Stewart Smith, 1985-2013
John McGrorry
And finally…
I am currently completing research toward an MD in
colorectal cancer surgery. It is
traditional when completing a thesis for a higher degree to dedicate it to a
person who supported or influenced you on your journey toward it. In a couple of years time, when I take my
thesis to be bound, a few pages from the cover,
it will be dedicated so…
“Dedicated to the memory of Stewart Smith, my
friend. This thesis describes the
illness which took his life in the prosaic, dry and objective language required
of medical research. He is a constant
reminder to me of the personal story underlying each case, patient and
statistic. His bravery and good humour
lifted us in those dark moments and made the most of what time we had.”
I am confident that my thesis won’t change the
world or win any prizes but in it his
name will remain, even if it is only in a copy on my shelf and in a dusty
University library.
Stephen McSorley
Thanks to everybody who contributed to this week’s
thegrambler.com.
