Actor Gary, 47, loses cancer fight

8:00am Monday 4th August 2008

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A MUCH-loved actor who set up a health support group has died aged 47.

Gary Raynsford, of Marguerite Drive, Leigh, helped set up a patient support group for people with kidney disease in the early 1990s after suffering the illness.

Friends and family will also remember him for his love of acting and the theatre. He had roles on television shows Minder and the Bill and performed on stage.

Friend and ex-wife Liz Foulger, 38, said: “He was an amazing person. Gary just really enjoyed the arts. He was loyal and very generous.”

Mr Raynsford developed kidney disease in the early 1990s and along with Mrs Foulger and renal consultant Dr David Carmichael formed the Southend Hospital Association for Renal Patients.

The group, known as Sharp, was the first support group in Southend for people with kidney disease and is still going strong.

Mrs Foulger said: “He was most definitely fun-loving.

“He had a lot of acting friends and friends from outside of acting. He will be deeply missed by everybody.”

He died following a battle with bladder cancer on July 23.

Gary leaves four sisters, mum and step-dad Audrey and Ton Wensing and dad Brian Raynsford.

His funeral was held on Friday at Southend crematorium.