In a devastating turn of events, an expecting Beth Gibson mourns the sudden death of her fiance Richard Furneaux, known to many as Richard Fuller, who passed away at the age of 40 just weeks after learning they were going to have a baby. The couple, who had been together for eight years and were planning to marry, experienced tragedy when Richard’s body was found by police in Sedgefield on May 11, having been reported missing by Beth earlier. According to preliminary reports, Richard succumbed to a heart attack.
Beth, from Newton Aycliffe, shares her agony: “He had rang me and said he would be home in a couple of hours and then his phone died as he was trying to walk home from Sedgefield. He went out smiling on the Saturday and said ‘I love you, see you soon’ and when he didn’t come back I thought it was a bit weird. I rang his mobile but it was dead. I thought to myself it’s Richard, he’ll be back soon.”
However, upon waking the next morning with no sign of Richard and notably missing their morning ritual of a cuppa, she instinctively sensed something was terribly amiss and alerted the authorities, reports Teesside Live.
Despite facing immense challenges such as mental health struggles and cancer – specifically stage three high-grade lymphoma from which he emerged victorious in 2022 with his son Bentley at his side – Richard’s life came to an abrupt end due to a heart attack while making his way home.
Grief-stricken Beth is left with wedding plans tragically turned to funeral arrangements, sharing, “He was desperately trying to get home to me and his kids. We were planning our wedding on Friday. We were going to go down to Cornwall, his favourite place, in the school holidays to look at venues for our wedding. And now I’m planning his funeral.”
Beth fondly remembers meeting Richard over a mutual passion for cars and being captivated by his “big blue eyes and cheeky grin” — traits lovingly passed down to their youngsters Bentley and Riley.
Richard was a beloved figure in the motoring community, not only as the founder of Cleveland Cruise Scene which revitalised local car events but also as a devoted father to Cameron, Alesha, Jake, and Corie. Under Richard’s guidance, Cleveland Cruise Scene became a force for good, raising significant sums for charitable causes and neighbourhood projects like Grangetown boys football club U8s, as highlighted by Chronicle Live.
Reminiscing on their time together, Beth reflects: “Anything we could do to help people, we did from our heart and soul. Richard cared about everybody. It didn’t matter whether you were young, old, black, white, religious, non-religious, it didn’t matter. We did what we could for everybody.”
Beth recounts how Richard’s childhood visits to car shows with his grandad in Milton Keynes ignited a lifelong passion for cars, especially VW, that he cherished until the end.
Richard’s fervour for automobiles wasn’t just a hobby; it permeated every aspect of his life, including his family and career. Within a mere eight months at Kwik Fit in 2022, he swiftly climbed the ranks to management, gaining experience across various branches in the North East. The couple’s shared automotive enthusiasm even influenced the names of their children: Bentley, aged four, and Riley, soon to turn one on Saturday. Before his untimely death, Richard had chosen two car-themed names for his yet-to-be-born child.
Beth, currently 18 weeks pregnant, shared: “We find out what we’re having on the 28th and I’ve booked to go to the funeral directors straight after the scan to tell him what we’re having.” In remembrance of Richard, Beth expressed: “Richard was an amazing man. He was always there for people in their hour of need. If there was a car broken down or an accident, Richard would be the first to stop.”
He is also mourned by his mother Carol and brother Ashley, who recall his generous and compassionate spirit from his youth. In the wake of his unexpected demise, friends have initiated a fundraising campaign to help cover the funeral expenses and support Richard’s family. Further details and donation options are available on their GoFundMe page.