Eulogy for Peter Carr by Julian Heath

Peter Carr was a man I am proud to have called my friend.

Peter was eighteen months younger than me and yet he was a man I always looked up to. For Pete set examples in his own life that many aspire to but few manage.

He was a wonderful son, a good brother, a faithful husband, an attentive father and a true friend.

Many of us first met Pete shortly after Julia brought him back to Harlow following her travels to New Zealand in the mid Nineteen Eighties.

Being a son of New Zealand, it didn’t take him long to find his way to the local rugby club looking for a game - and he didn’t disappoint us – he was everything we had heard New Zealand forwards were.

Pete had other sporting passions such as cricket and cycling and through all these he made so many friends for his company was always something to be looked forward to and savoured. Friendships that I know will give Julia and the children comfort and support.

In his working life Pete followed a childhood dream and joined the police force, serving as a local bobby in his community of Stansted Mountfitchet.

Highlights included chasing an escaped Ostrich around the country lanes and standing guard whilst Prince Charles made an unscheduled lavatory visit on a trip to Harlow.

But above all Pete was a family man and after leaving the police force he and Julia had to decide what was the best move for a young family of six. They came to Spain on a long camping holiday to see what opportunities the country might offer. They fell in love with the town and people of Palomares.

Initially Pete was doing odd jobs whilst Julia and her friend Liz

set about establishing a business that would eventually lead to the opportunity they sought.

On each of our visits here we have seen first hand how hard Pete and Julia have worked and how they have become part of the community – and I know their support at this time has been of great comfort to Julia.

There are so many things I will miss about Pete – our rugby trips especially. In 1989 Pete, his father Dick and I spent a weekend in Cardiff watching his beloved All Blacks take on Wales. This trip produced so many good memories which we were still talking about only a few weeks ago.

Poignantly, Pete and I were to make that trip again next month, so if it’s ok with you mate I will take my son and show him your fine team.

An example of Pete’s modesty comes to mind perfectly on another trip where we bumped into a guy from his youth days at Ponsonby Rugby Club in Auckland.

The man exclaimed:

“Pete my lifesaver”.

It later came to light that whilst out swimming one day he got into desperate trouble before Pete pulled him out of the sea.

That man was All Black legend Va’aiga Tuigamala.

Yet Pete had never thought this act of courage worth even a mention.

I will miss the simple things:

Sharing a cold beer late into the night, talking about or watching any sport, your barbeques, the banter.

But most of all I will miss your friendship and company. Your passing leaves such a big hole in all our lives that will never be filled.

Julia, Aimee, Emma, Daniel and Ryan, should you ever need us you know where we are.

Pete, until we meet again, sleep well mate.

29/11/1966 - 27/09/2004. Aged 37.

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Peter leaves behind his wife Julia and children Aimee, Emma, Daniel and Ryan. A number of members have talked about donating some money to help look after their future. As such should you wish to make a donation please click here for more details. Sorry Members Only

Pete Carr

Shocking news to hear of his death. I know quite alot of guys have gone out to Spain to pay their respects personally. I trained and played with Pete intermittently over quite a number of years and he was always a very generous and encouraging team mate but also a ferocious competitor and a very talented player either in the front or back rows. He will be sorely missed by all those who were fortunate to know him. RIP.

Message Submitted by:Mark Guthrie      Tuesday 5 October

Pete Carr

Pete's funeral was held on Monday in his village of Palomares which is on the Costa Almeria in Spain. Attending from HRFC were Alan Brooking, Steve Foreman, Richard May, Lee Harron, myself and my wife Jackie. I am pleased to say that Pete's parents managed to get there from New Zealand and also Julia's parents who were in Australia at the time with her brother Jason. Pete's brother, Jeff (some of you may recall him playing for us in 1989/90), also made it from Washington and his sister Stephanie who now lives in London.
There seemed to be hundreds of people there with what must have been almost the entire village in attendance. It was clearly evident that Pete was as popular and respected in their community as he was here.
Julia has received enormous support from the people of Palomares and has her parents there to help for as long as they are needed.
Should anyone wish to get in contact with Julia please ring me on 01279 862045 or email me at julian.heath@csf.co.uk and i will give you the relevant details. I know she is appreciative of any kind words of support and does not want anyone to feel they cannot get in touch.
For those of you who remember Pete's rugby obsessed father Dick, you will smile when i tell you of his response to being informed of the minutes silence held on Saturday.....

"Did you lose?"

I was so happy to give him the result.

Message Submitted by:Julian Heath      Wednesday 6 October

Pete Carr

Thanks for letting us know Julian. Sort of puts everything into perspective doesn't it?

Message Submitted by:Mark Guthrie      Wednesday 6 October

Pete Carr

Pete was a great friend, and one couldn't wish for a better colleague. The world is poorer for his loss.

Message Submitted by:Andy Bray      Wednesday 6 October

Pete Carr

Two of many everlasting memories of Pete.
Playing away at Leighton Buzzard, their loose head was getting a bit handy until Pete decided enough was enough. The whole scrum moved sideways when the lesson was delivered, end of problem!
Again away, concluding our unbeaten league season against Ruislip, Pete raising the clubhouse roof with his rarely performed Haka.
Will be greatly missed by all, our thoughts with Julia and his family.

Message Submitted by:Simon White      Thursday 7 October

Pete Carr

I knew Pete for a few years playing on and off for the 2s. When I learnt of his untimely death at such a young age it does put life into perspective. He was a good one and the world is a worse place.

Message Submitted by:Peter Westbrook      Thursday 7 October

Pete Carr

Simon, I too remember Pete's Haka at Ruislip. Why? Because it scared the living sh*t out of me! He performed it with such passion and ferocity that it was mesmerising. Great stuff. I also remember Pete turning out in his oak tree thick knee supports after his injuries, and just getting on with it. Like his Dad, a great rugby bloke. And as Mark says, him now gone certainly puts life into perspective.

Message Submitted by:Richard Drage      Friday 8 October