Father of two Gary ‘Chubb’ Lavery who fell to his death in Spain

A BARBER who fell to his death from a hotel balcony a fortnight ago will be buried tomorrow.

The remains of gents crimper Gary ‘Chub’ Lavery were finally flown home on Friday to his family in west Belfast after an agonising wait.

His grieving family had to raise £17,000 to have his coffin flown back as his holiday insurance didn’t cover the cost.

‘Chub’ Lavery, a father of two daughters, accidentally fell to his death from a second floor balcony just three hours after landing in the Costa Bravaon Monday, October 16.

Known in west Belfast as ‘Chub’, Mr Lavery ran Blades barber shop on theAndersonstown Road.

A friend told The Sun: ”’Chub’s’ travel insurance didn’t cover the expense so his family had to raise the £17,000 to get him home quickly.

“It was a big relief for his family and many friends that ‘Chub’ finally came home. It is almost two weeks since he died.”

It is believed Mr Lavery was leaning over the balcony of his second floor apartment when he accidentally fell to his death.

His brother Stevey revealed at the time that he got a phone call to say ‘Chubb’, who arrived inSpainat around 9pm that night, had fallen two storeys from the balcony just before midnight.

“They worked on him for a while but they couldn’t do anything,” he explained.

Gary was a grandfather to two little boys, and his mum Betty Lavery said the whole family are extremely close.

“He just loved every minute of his life with the kids… We did not get on like children and mummies. We were very, very close, we could talk about anything to each other.

“He had a heart that size,” his mother added, holding out her arms.

Mrs Lavery said the 44-year-old barber, who owns Blades shop on theAndersonstown Road, was well-known in the west of the city.

She called him “the legend”.

“He was very popular and well known and very good to everybody,” she said, “Anybody was in trouble they all went to the shop

Brother Stevey added: “He will be sorely missed. “He pulled a few people out of a few holes.”

Requiem Mass will be held this morning at 10 am in St Agnes Catholic Church on the Andersonstown Road.