Tributes paid to Darryll Knock of Stowmarket who died at 63
More than 150 bikers rode out in honour of a much-loved man from Suffolk who died at the age of 63.
Darryll Knock, of Stowmarket, died on Monday, August 26 following a sudden diagnosis of stage four pancreatic cancer.
Almost 400 people attended his funeral which took place on Saturday, September 28 at Battisford Free Church.
Darryll was a passionate motorcyclist and a member of the Suffolk Christian Motorcyclists Association and had requested a biker escort for his final journey.
His wife Helen shared his love for motorcycling and the biker escort of 174 bikes followed the hearse as a tribute to his life.
His daughter Daisy Upson said: “We want to give a huge thanks to everyone who attended the service, including all the bikers who made this happen.
“It really was a celebration of my dad’s life and it bought us peace to see how many people showed up to pay their respects.”
The family would also like give a special thanks to those at Battisford Free Church for their contribution to the day, as well as Martin Cullum of the Christian Motorcycle Association and David Short, Darryll’s best friend, who was with Martin in the planning and led the escort.
Shortly after his diagnosis, the family launched a fund-raiser in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support which has now raised more than £6,000. If you would like to donate to the JustGiving page, click here.
Darryll leaves behind his wife Helen, his sister Louise, his children Reuben, Jannah, Hollie, Lucy and Daisy, his nieces Hannah and Abbey, and his grandchildren Lexi, Leyton, Luna, Georgia, Angus, Aubrey, Alba, George and Bonnie.
His son-in-law, Lee, is set to run 12.8 miles from Stowmarket to Ipswich Town FC’s Portman Road Stadium on October 19, accompanied by Darryll’s son, Reuben, who will cycle alongside him.
The run is in honour of the well-loved man who was a lifelong Everton fan — and the match will be the first time the Blues have faced Everton since 2001.
A spokesperson for Suffolk Christian Motorcyclists Association said: “Members and supporters of Suffolk Christian Motorcyclists Association were devastated to hear of Darryll’s illness, coming so soon after we had spent a memorable weekend with him and his wife Helen at Sizewell Hall for our rally in June.
“As always, he created fun and fond memories for everyone with his irrepressible sense of humour and exuberant approach to life.
“His death a short time later came as an enormous shock to us all.”
“We are deeply sorry for Helen’s loss, and the passing of a loving and much-loved father and grandfather, but rejoice that Darryll is now in the presence of Jesus.
“He loved his Lord, and wanted all his family and friends to know Him too.
“This was the motivation for him and Helen to plan his own funeral to be not only a celebration of his life, but a Gospel outreach to motorcyclists.
“We were honoured to be able to take part in it, and the sheer number of bikers attending showed the esteem that the biking community had for him.
“Darryll was a one-off - he had the love and respect of everyone who knew him through motorcycling, but he had many other interests – sports, music and the natural world among others – and touched many other lives.
“Everyone will have their own favourite memory of a true Suffolk lad.
“As Darryll himself would say: ‘do well, buh!’”
