Robbie Gareth Edwards

Robbie was 1st born to Sian and Gareth Edwards just 6 months after they married. He was born weighing over 10lbs and arrived as an early christmas present for his parents on 15th Dec. Robbie spent a few days in SCBU due to the fact he took a while to breath when he was born and then had a few fits.

When Robbie was 17 months he was Joined by his baby sister(me). Karlie-Sian Edwards. We forght like cat and dog in childhood but came to love and respect each other as we grew up together.

Robbie lived a healthy life untill the 9th Nov 2005 when he was struck down by meningitis. Robbie lost his fight to this disease at 5.03pm on 10th Nov 2005. Aged just 22.

Robbie left behind a family who loved and cared for him so much.

We miss you Rob, always will. Nobody will ever replace you. God really did brake our hearts to prove to us he only takes the best!

Sleep tight my big Bro!


This is the Speech I wrote (with freind Sherans Help)

Robbie
This is one of the hardest things I have ever done and if I am honest I feel so cheated that I have to do this for you. I really can't believe that you are gone and I am so glad that when the time came Robbie you died exactly how you lived your life - fast. But despite the fact I am comforted that when the time came you didn't suffer how on earth are any of us expected to get over you? There are some people here today who time with you was very brief, but still you got into there hearts and minds and they loved you as much as us who have grown and lived with you. Robbie could easily get along with anyone he loved life and people and several times would bring complete strangers back home not even knowing there names. But that was Robbie all over - friendly.


I know that Robbie’s spirit is with us at the moment - looking down at us with a drink in one hand and probably a fag in the other laughing out loud and delighted how many of us came her to play honour to him today. Come on lets face Robbie always loved being centre of attention, even as a new born he got alot of attention by day by people who couldn’t get over the size of him and then by night when he kept mum and dad awake for hours, and he never got any better going to bed at 1am was early for Robbie. He would also be so proud of us in our Rugby Shirts. He was so patriotic - he loved our country - he loved Wales and he loved our Rugby team. Some of us here will remember him with Dad on his stag night. If I close my eyes I can imagine him back here with me - his hands wrapped tightly across my shoulders - soaking me with his beer every time Wales scored. Oh how we laughed that night.

But then Robbie laughed a lot didn't he. He had such a short life and yet he lived it to the full. He loved nothing more than to be with us - his friends and his family and he would be so proud of us all today.

Mum and him were especially close. She carried him all his life - as a baby doing her housework with Robbie in a sling and as an adult she continued to carry him - or maybe he carried her - back home from the pub. Not only were they Mother and Son - they were best friends. He loved you so much Mum and I know how much you loved him.

As for me his sister - well as kids we fought like cat and dog - driving our parents mad. But as we got older I learnt to love and respect my big brother and there was so much to love him for. I loved his sense of humour, I loved his kindness, I loved the fact that we could sit and talk for hours about his hopes and his dreams like going to live in Spain or sell his kidney for a bit of cash. - I also loved the fact that he was the best Uncle ever to my kids and I am so glad that I had my family early enough that Robbie got the chance to meet my boys so that they could love him too.

His Dad or old Man as he called him. He was so proud of you and would many times be heard saying that his Dad was a record holding sprinter. You to also shared many a good nights out. Like the one in Beidorm where Rob and Dad were very worse for ware Dad ran out of money and thought yes! we can go home and then Rob true to form pulled out another couple of a pesaters and you partied for another couple of hours. Dad was still drunk when Mum woke him up to go to the shop. Dad Rob loved and respected you I can promise you that. H was so proud to be an Edwards.

Robbie as all of us know was a friendly lad - he had many conquests. I am sure that there are hearts saddened all over Abertillery and Pontypool at his passing. It is so difficult for me because I keep thinking of all the things you aren't going to do - and I so hope that there are fast motorbikes and good looking conquests for you to enjoy wherever you are Robbie.
However for those of us fortunate to have been close to Robbie - he wouldn’t want us to be sad. He wouldn’t want us to be sat here crying. He would want us to remember him and smile and raise a glass to him sometimes. So I really hope that all of you will be able to join us at the pub later - where we can remember Robbie with a drink and a laugh - in a fitting tribute to a very special person my big brother!
In the words of his Uncle Jamie he has gone to ride his Bike in the sky!!!