A large crowd gathered yesterday despite the rain to farewell Gordon Charlie Pickford of East Lismore.

About 400 people celebrated Charlie's life with a service at the Lismore Turf Club and after, at Charlie's second home, the Lismore Workers Golf Club.

Gordon Charles Pickford was born at the Lismore Base Hospital in 1960. One of 11 children, Charlie completed all his schooling in Lismore and married his beloved Cathie at age 17. He remained a true local and his community spread wide through his extended family and work colleagues.

Charlie was known for his unwavering love for his family, friends and colleagues. Dot Orchard, celebrant of the service and long-time family friend of the Pickford's said, "You could say Charlie had 3 families, his family at home, his Eagles family and his golf family."

Eagles Plumbing in South Lismore was Charlie's place of work for the last 25 years. He was a keen sportsman and became well known and loved at the Lismore Workers Golf Club. Close friend and golf mate Peter Best spoke of a a special tree between the first and seventh tee that plagued Charlie's game.

(Looking down the 9th hole from the green with the trees on the right and far right from the first tee)

"He constantly hit it every time he played and sometimes twice in one game. Even when he missed it, it still haunted him and he would still curse it or laugh after playing his shot. This tree will forever be known as Charlie’s tree."