Final respects paid to witty, selfless, Purley chef
9:41am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Where I Live By Hannah Williamson
Hundreds of mourners packed into Purley Baptist Church to pay their final respects to chef Kevin Boyle.
More than 200 people filled the church for the thanksgiving and remeberance service on Saturday, ahead of his body being flown to Ireland for burial.
Mr Boyle, 26, of Old Lodge Lane, Purley, went missing on October 12 last year.
His body was discovered in the rear garden of a property in Chaldon Way, Coulsdon, on January 22.
Old school friends, teachers and former colleagues were among those who paid tribute to the former Coulsdon High School pupil.
Each spoke of a kind hearted, generous and selfless man who put others problems before his own.
Mr Boyle's former mentor Jamie Oliver led the tributes on behalf of his colleagues at Fifteen.
He said: "Kevin was funny and I mean really funny. He was as sharp as a nail and perfect to be a chef.
"His sarcasm, irony, wit and intelligence made him potent - a potent team player."
Mr Boyle's sister Naomi spoke of her brother's "larger than life personality and booming laugh."
She said the family had been overwhelmed by the love and support extended to them and that it was a testament to "the very special person Kevin was and the number if lives he touched."
His mother Patti said the family were determined to change the attitudes and stigma that surround depression.
She said: "Depression is a cancer of the mind, body and spirit and we know it kills.
"Depression is the main cause of death in young men aged between 30 and 35. This is a horrific statistic and we cannot let it go unchallenged."
The family plans to open a charity in Kevin's memory aimed at supporting young men with depression.
