Irish cycling remembers a favourite son, the great Gaybo Howard

Gaybo with Irish international Robert Power on FBD Rás back in 1994. Tributes have absolutely poured in after Gaybo's death in a farming accident yesterday.

 

Irish cycling pays tribute to Gaybo Howard Stamullen RC

 

Irish cycling has paid tribute to Gaybo Howard; a stalwart of the sport. His death yesterday has been greeted with a mixture of shock, sadness and dismay.

Gaybo travelled the country for decades – mostly with wife Kay, a great friend to stickybottle – working on and supporting Irish bike races.

He was very sadly fatally injured in a farming accident involving a teleporter vehicle close to his home in Stamullen yesterday.

Since news of his passing emerged, huge numbers of people who knew Gaybo have taken to social media to remember a man everyone on the home scene knew and loved.

We’ve put together some of the tributes here.

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Suffice to say everyone on the road racing scene at home is thinking of Kay, Siobhan, Sinead and Seamus at this very sad time.

Gaybo will be reposing at his home in Stedalt, Stamullen, Co Meath, on Tuesday; from 2pm to 8pm.

Removal takes place next Wednesday, February 14th, morning to St Patrick's Church, Stamullen, arriving for 12 noon Mass.

The mass will be followed by funeral to Stamullen Cemetery. The family has requested family flowers only please. Donations if desired should go to Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.

 

Tributes pour in for Gaybo Howard

New Rás director Eimear Dignam shared this photo and said: Always had a smile on his face, never more so than when he was on the Rás! The past few weeks he had been on the phone to me constantly offering support, advice and loads of chat as we get the Rás on the road. Gaybo! RIP

 

Sean McNicholl said: Gaybo, you were a great friend to me and the family. We will miss you terribly. Rest in peace my friend.

 

On behalf of his club Lucan CRC, Brian Hammond said: Very sad news emerging; Gabriel Howard (Stamullen RC) has passed away. "Gaybo" was a larger than life figure in the Irish cycling community, a great rider, team manager, mechanic, mentor, official and commentator. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. The club offers it's sympathies to Kay his wife and the rest of his family and members of Stamullen RC past and present. May he rest in peace.

 

 

Gaybo's impact on the sport was on the minds of everyone in Cycling Ireland which posted a message on its site: Cycling Ireland are incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Gabriel Howard this evening. 'Gaybo' has been at the heart of Irish cycling, and was one of the sports hardest working and most dedicated volunteers. Cycling Ireland wish to offer Kay Howard and all his family, friends and clubmates our deepest sympathies. He leaves a big hole in Irish cycling. Ar dheas Dé go raibh a anam.

 

Posting a photo of Gaybo doing MC - a role he loved and did so well - Skane Wheelers said its members were shocked to learn of his death: We are very sad this evening to hear the news of the passing of Gabriel Howard, a legend of the Irish cycling scene. We have been lucky to get acquainted with Gaybo as he took on the role of MC for our first two runnings of the Kilmessan GP. There was always a great bit of banter around the finish line with Gaybo on the mic. Our deepest sympathies go out to Kay and the rest of the Howard family, and Stamullen Road Club, at this sad time. May he rest in peace.

 

Bohermeen CC paid tribute to a man they knew well: It is with great sadness that we learn of the sudden passing of one of Irish cycling's great characters Gay 'Gaybo' Howard yesterday evening. He was always a regular figure at our annual Waller Cup race with his wife Kay. A man with an overly generous heart for cycling, never afraid to offer a hand at our event. His quick wit and banter will be sadly missed - a true legend of the Irish cycling Scene. The club would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Kay and the rest of the Howard family and to Stamullen Road Club. Gaybo, may you Rest In Peace.

 

 

Dany Blondeel, and Belgian adopted by the Irish scene said: Sad news about the passing of Gabriel Howard; ex top cyclist, mechanic, organiser, team car driver and cycling commentator with a special panache. His knowledge of Irish cycling and cyclists was second to none. I am shocked to hear this terrible news, and feel with all my heart for his widow Kay and family, his friends and his team Stamullen. May you rest in peace Gaybo. You will be missed big time, your humor and banter, your massive contribution to Irish racing. It will be not the same anymore and so pleased I have shared some moments with you over the years. So long dear Gabriel.

 

Sharing the photo below of Gaybo, Gary Gorman used just one word; but it was a good one: Legend.

 

On behalf of the Howard family's friends in the North, Cycling Ulster set out this touching tribute with photos:  Cycling Ulster are saddened to hear of the passing of Irish cycling stalwart, Gabriel Howard. The Meath man had a long competitive career in the sport, competing in a record 21 consecutive Rásanna, taking a stage win in the 1965 edition. Gaybo’s contribution to the sport was even more significant after retiring from competition. He took on numerous roles including being heavily involved in event promotion, not only with his beloved Stamullen Road Club but at various events throughout the country, including Ulster. He also maintained his competitive instinct through taking on positions as team manager and providing mechanical support at races. Gaybo was also involved in promoting the sport in the media, including on local radio. He may be remembered most in recent years for the craic he brought to many events from the microphone at event finish lines where he could be seen and heard analysing the race while interviewing fans, officials and riders. Cycling Ulster extend our condolences to his family, friends and club mates. RIP Gabriel Howard.

 

Many posted their tributes on Twitter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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