BIKERS formed a poignant procession to pay their final respects to a “real gentleman”.
Mark Brian Russell Ebbs, of Askam, was killed on December 8 while he was riding his yellow Triumph motorbike on the A595 near to Greenscoe and Askam brickworks.
He was involved in a collision with a HGV.
The 48-year-old was an avid biker who rode in the charity-based motorcycle group, the Angry Pigs.
Mr Ebbs had formed friendships with different clubs across the UK, prompting people from all over the country to travel to Cumbria to pay their respects at his funeral in Ulverston on Wednesday.
Before the service, they gathered on the A595 in Askam and joined a procession as the motorcycle hearse passed by and made its way to the chapel in Ulverston cemetery.
Jesas, the gaffer of the Angry Pigs Motorcycle Group, said: “It was epic.
“More than 60 people from all over the country rode their bikes from Askam to Ulverston.
“People came from Plymouth and Devon - everyone travelled all the way up.
“He was a very well-respected man.”
Scores of bikes roared their to Ulverston where a private ceremony was held for family and close friends.
Dutchy, one of Mr Ebbs’ closest friends, said: “He had an 80s mash-up of songs because that was the kind of music he liked.
“He liked Elvis and his farewell song as he was leaving the chapel was Elvis’ version of My Way.”
He continued: “He would be looking down saying 'that was brilliant'. There wouldn’t be a single thing he didn’t like.”
As people crowded into Ulverston Sports Club after the service, it was clear to see how much Mr Ebbs was loved by his friends and family.
Jesas said: “Everyone pictures us as hairy, hard, leather-clad lunatics, but if you look around the room today it shows how loved everyone is.
“People have travelled a long way just to say goodbye and a lot of people didn’t get the chance to say goodbye the way they would have wanted.
“Sometimes it’s hard for blokes to show their emotions properly but there were tears today.
“But he will be remembered with a smile. He just brought out the happy side of everyone.”
Dutchy added: “He was my best friend. We began working together years ago and I was only there for about four minutes before he started taking the mick out of me.
"I loved him from then on.”
Mr Ebbs leaves behind his wife Fiona as well as countless family, friends and acquaintances.
Jesas said: “He had an instant affinity with you as soon as you met him - what you saw was what you got.
“He was a real gentleman who adored his family and had a lot of time for anybody.
“Even if he carried the biggest problems in the world on his shoulders, he would still sit down and talk about your problems.”
He added: “Think of the nicest person you’ve ever met and times it by 10. “He would open his heart to you as well as his fridge.”
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