Camden News: Bikers | 'Mr Crazy' | moving tributes | funeral | Rohan Nichol

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Camden News - by SIMON WROE
Published: 9 April 2009

Mr Nichol’s mum Gloria and sister Suzie

Bikers bid farewell to ‘Mr Crazy’

Moving tributes at funeral of talented trampoline coach who loved motorbikes

WITH a motorbike cortege, a sea of flowers and too many mourners to fit into the church, the Talacre Centre’s head trampolining coach was laid to rest on Friday morning.
Nearly a thousand friends, pupils and colleagues of Rohan Nichol packed The Five Precious Wounds Church in Harlesden to remember a “gentleman and comedian who had love for everyone”.
Three motorcyclists accompanied the hearse to and from the church in tribute to Mr Nichol, a passionate bike enthusiast. One of his closest friends, Stevie Hickey, rode Mr Nichol’s prized bike for the day.
Dozens of the champion trampolinist’s young students wore training tops emblazoned with the legend “Crazy’s Jumpers” – a reference to their coach’s nickname, “Mr Crazy”.
Speaking at the funeral, Mr Nichol’s uncle, Donovan Morrison, said: “Rohan always brought out the best in others – for us he was an inspiration. He loved to share his knowledge. If you didn’t hear the mouth, you’d hear his bike.”
Mr Nichol, 40, died after falling from a block of flats in the South Kilburn estate three weeks ago.
His sister, Suzie Francis, said: “I will never understand why this happened. We are a family of love. He was my brother, my boy. He had so much love for everyone.”
A father of one of the many children taught by Mr Nichol spoke at the funeral in praise if his work as a teacher, saying he could not have put his son in better hands.
In accordance with Caribbean tradition, Mr Nichol’s body was buried by the family’s male relatives while mourners sang.
A blanket of flowers signifying “the unconditional beauty of heaven” was then spread over the grave at St Mary Cemetery in Kensal Green.

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