Tributes paid to homeless Bournemouth man Gary Houghton

Voluntarily homeless himself, Gary Houghton was a familiar face around charitable organisation Hope for Food – which provides essentials for homeless people in the area.

Initially a user of the service, Gary soon became a huge part of the charity and gave his time to help its running. As a Hope for Food spokesperson said, “it was always Gary’s way not just to take, but to give back too."

Gary died in Royal Bournemouth Hospital on Monday April 4 following heart attack complications. He was 62 years old.

Gary Houghton of Hope for Food in Bournemouth

In the days since, tributes have poured in from charity groups, council officials, the armed forces and strangers who were in some way touched by Gary’s story of quiet but impactful generosity.

He served in the Royal Artillery from 1976 to 1990 where he served in Northern Ireland and Germany. He then worked in transport driving all over Europe for several years.

However, he was soon stricken with cancer in his bowel. Having come through chemotherapy, Gary beat the cancer but the strain as well as undiagnosed PTSD from his time in the Army took its toll and caused the father of three to seek a fresh start.

In the mid-2010s, he voluntarily took to the streets, sleeping in his tent in various beauty spots across the Poole area having decided “indoor living” was no longer for him.

Around this time, Gary began to attend the soup kitchen at Hope for Food. Volunteer and friend Frankie Reynolds said: “Before we knew it, he was helping in all sorts of invaluable ways. As the charity grew, so did Gary’s commitment to helping, from running the shower and washing machine vans, to distributing toiletries and tents.

“Gary was a solitary, yet sociable man with a great sense of humour. He lived the last few years of his life quietly under canvas, enduring all weathers, without ever complaining or asking anything of anyone.”

Gary’s daughter Kylie paid her own tribute and told the Echo she was “proud” to call him her father.

Gary Houghton who has died aged 62 in Bournemouth

She said: “Dad preferred to be on his own doing his own thing. He was a very proud man and wouldn’t take financial support from anyone.

“Nothing was too much for him. He was well loved and cherished. I’m very proud to be his daughter and couldn’t have asked for a better dad. I miss him so much.”

When Gary died, he had a photograph of Kylie’s daughter in his pocket.

Kylie also gave personal thanks to Hope for Food, who donated £2,000 to Gary’s funeral.

A book of condolence has been started by the HealthBus Trust at St Stephen's Church in Bournemouth.

Gary’s funeral will take place on Wednesday April 27 at 2.30pm at Bournemouth Crematorium.  Anyone is welcome and his family ask that it be treated as a celebration. Rather than flowers, visitors are asked to donate to Hope for Food or a homeless charity of their choice.

Following the service, his wake will take place at St Francis Church in Bournemouth.