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Heartbreak after first gay wedding
ONE of the Fylde's first gay marriages has ended in heartbreak.
Less than two weeks after Eric Stone celebrated his civil partnership he is planning the funeral of partner Tony Williamson.
The pair tied the knot on December 21 – the historic day which marked the first civil partnership ceremonies in the UK.
Tony died just 10 days later with Eric by his side at their home in Park Road, Blackpool. The couple were able to spend Christmas together, but Tony lost his battle with cancer at 11.20am on New Year's Eve. Tony knew he was suffering from a brain tumour when he committed to the partnership.
Fighting back tears, Eric said: "I was with him right to the end. We knew he was very poorly, but he was determined we would have our ceremony on the first day of the new civil partnerships.
"I think that kept him going and I have wonderful memories of that day. He was a very strong and determined person who will be missed by everyone who knew him.
"Before his illness he had been a very active and very proud man. He had worked at BAE Systems in catering in the directors' dining room and during that time he met Princess Anne and most senior members of government."
Eric, 75, who is seriously ill himself with lung cancer, and Tony, 50, had been together for five years.
They were the second couple to go through a civil partnership service at Blackpool Register Office.
Tony discovered he had two more brain tumours after being taken ill during a holiday to Benidorm shortly before the couple's partnership ceremony was due to take place, but was determined to enjoy the day.
The couple had already had their relationship blessed in 2004 by a humanist minister, but the chance to formalise their union brought the same benefits enjoyed by married heterosexual couples on issues such as inheritance, tax, social security and workplace benefits.
It is the second heartache for Eric who before meeting Tony had been in another relationship for 22 years before his partner died.
Tony's funeral service will take place on January 10 at 2.30pm at Carleton Crematorium.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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