Tributes are being paid to one of Manchester’s most-loved doormen. Ian 'Strawboss' Garner worked the doors at pubs all over the city, but was perhaps best known for his time at the Star & Garter in Piccadilly.
He died on May 22, aged 78, following a major stroke, according to Morrissey fanzine The Morrissey Mercury. As well as the Star & Garter, he also worked at pubs including the Bull’s Head and the Retro bar.
“It will be repeated for years to come as it has been for years and years already - the Star and Garter building owes a huge chunk of its improved condition both inside and out to Ian,” said the Star & Garter’s landlord Andy Martin.
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“It cannot ever be explained just how wonderful a human being he was and how lucky we and everyone else who ever met him was to have done so.”
Julie Hamill, founder of the Mozarmy community and annual festival, said: “Ian was a pure class, upstanding, A-list, remarkable, one-in-a-billion gent in braces. They don’t make them like him any more. I’m not sure they ever did.
“The last time I saw him, he was in his bed, leaving this world. I told him I loved him, and he said ‘I love you too, Julie’, words I will forever hear, and hold in my head and heart. He said ‘it’s nice to know so many people care about me’, and they did, Ian, they really did.”
Other Morrissey devotees, who attend the festivals held at the Star & Garter, have also paid tributes to Mr Garner. Tom Chavez III and Monica Chavez, from San Antonio in Texas, said: “Each time we visited Manchester we would always see Ian when he had free time and he would take us to some of his favourite pubs, such as the Bull’s Head, the Britons Protection and the Vale Cottage.
“We’d enjoy some pints and fish and chips while we listened to his fascinating stories and his wealth of knowledge. We’re gonna miss our good friend very much. Manchester will never be the same for us. Ian, que Descanses en Paz [rest in peace].”
His funeral will take place on June 14 at 2pm in the Old Chapel at Manchester Crematorium, followed by a wake.
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