A Valentine's Day weekend ended in tragedy for Richard, 23, of Welham, after he died in Venice while on holiday with his girlfriend, Katie Robinson, last month.

A full congregation of family and friends came together at St John the Baptist Church in Clarborough to share his final memories, in a poignant ceremony led by the Revd Mark Cantrill.

"We have come here today to remember someone very special – someone whose life was tragically cut short – and my thoughts are with everyone at this dreadful time," he said.

"But we must remember that quality of life is not measured in how long it was, but by experiences and love shared along the way."
Richard's coffin was brought into church, bedecked with a blue and white wreath – the strip colours of his beloved football team, Sheffield Wednesday.

And his passion for heavy metal rock music was not forgotten, as The Offspring's Dirty Magic and a Pearl Jam number were played in the opening and closing parts of the service.

This contrasted with the choice of two traditional hymns – The Lord Is My Shepherd and Amazing Grace – which were accompanied by a reading from Corinthians 13.

A table of photographs and mementoes gathered over the years stood at the altar – serving as a focus for Rev Cantrill's moving eulogy.
He spoke of these snapshots as key chapters in Richard's life – from being born and extensive family trips to Europe, through to his school and university days.

Richard's parents, Gill and William, clung to each other during the service and smiled through the tears as Rev Cantrill recalled happier times during Richard's childhood.

He spoke of Richard's sensitive but laidback nature, and remembered the pride of his academic achievements in ICT and technology at Retford's Elizabethan High School and Lincoln University.

And he described the last chapter of Richard's final days as the 'hardest page to turn', saying: "Everything seemed ok and he had his whole, bright future ahead of him."

He added: "Richard loved his life and everything in between, and lived it to the full."
Mr and Mrs Raynor, accompanied by their son's girlfriend Katie, followed his coffin as it left the church to the sounds of Alive by Pearl Jam.

The funeral cortege then left for the short journey to Sherwood Forest Crematorium, Ollerton, for the final goodbye.

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