Dec 25, 2006Articles: Celebration of a life cut short by an attacker
By vanrozenheim
(Portsmouth, UK) - A man killed in a suspected gay-hate attack is to be laid to rest amid a celebration of his life. Malcolm Bryan's funeral is to take place next week. His family and friends have said it is to be a brightly-coloured tribute to the much loved man – know as Papa among the city's gay community because he was always ready with a fatherly piece of advice.
Mr Bryan, of Crown Street. Landport, is to be carried to the church in a horse-drawn carriage and mourners have been asked to avoid wearing black.
Mr Bryan's mother and children and Mr Gray have asked for donations to Inscape in Old Commercial Road, Portsmouth.
It provides support and information to men and women from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community around sexual health and health issues.
Mr Gray said: 'We've asked for family flowers only, but donations will go to Barrells Funeral Directors and the money raised will be going to the charity Inscape.'
The service is to be held at St Mary's Church in Fratton at 11.30am on Thursday, December 28.
It will be followed by a private service at Portchester crematorium. Mr Bryan, 62, died soon after midnight on Thursday, September 21.
It was just minutes after he was the victim of an anti-gay attack.
A 50-year-old man, from Fratton in Portsmouth, arrested on suspicion of Mr Bryan's murder has been released on bail by police until January 17.
