Ian Redman Funeral: Shark Attack Victim's Wife Says 'I'll See You Again'
The victim of a shark attack in the Seychelles earlier this month was laid to rest on Tuesday. His wife of just 10-days paid tribute to him in a letter read at his funeral.
Ian Redmond, 30, was killed in a vicious shark attack on August 16 while snorkeling at Anse Lazio beach, on the Seychelles island of Paslin. He was honeymooning with wife Gemma at the time.
The shark believed to be behind the attack has since been caught and killed by hunters.
Five hundred people attended Redmond's funeral, which was held at St. Michael and All Angels Church in Dalton, Lancashire, UK; the same church where he was married.
Redmond's service was also performed by the same vicar who officiated at his wedding. During the funeral procession, wife, Gemma Redmond carried a bouquet of flowers identical to the bouquet she carried for her wedding.
Gemma Redmond, 27, paid tribute to her late husband in a letter, which she read as part of the funeral service.
"You were so much more than I could have ever wished for in a husband and memories of that day are just some of the richest and warmest I have for you. When we danced, you never took your eyes off me for a second. I felt so much love from you," said Mrs. Redmond, describing their first dance at their wedding.
The couple met at the University of Manchester nine years ago. They got engaged on Christmas Eve, 2009 and married on August 7.
During her tribute, Mrs. Redmond recalled more fond moments of their honeymoon, which she called "a lovely adventure."
"Each and every time you went swimming and snorkeling and I watched you, I could never quite believe that I was married to you. You were the most handsome and perfect man I have ever seen and I always longed for you to come back out of the sea and be back with me," she said.
Calling Redmond the "gold standard of husbands," Gemma Redmond concluded by saying she would not consider their distance a goodbye.
"What I will say instead is 'See you soon!' I'm looking forward to it so very much!"
