George Glibody was best known for his achievements in amateur boxing
George Gilbody was best known for his achievements in amateur boxing(Image: Colin Lane)
The family of a “lovable” dad and grandad who died suddenly have paid tribute to him. George Gilbody, who was born in Southport before later moving to Newton-le-Willows and Daresbury in Halton, died on Friday, October 31 at the age of 70 following a heart attack.
George was best known for his achievements in amateur boxing, where he boxed for five clubs across Liverpool, St Helens and Warrington. He and his brother Ray were the first brothers to win Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) titles in the same year in 1979, and again won the following year in 1980.
In 1976, George had a disputed loss to Thomas Hearns in an England vs USA tournament and he represented England at the Commonwealth games in Alberta, Canada in 1978. But it in 1979, George and Ray both won gold representing England at the multi-nations tournament in Athens.
One of the highlights of George’s career came in 1980, when he captained the British boxing team in the men’s lightweight event at the Moscow Olympics.
In total, George won five senior ABA titles between 1974 and 1981 and 11 national titles in total. He retired from the sport in 1982 but continued coaching and offering advice to aspiring boxers.
George had four sons – George Jnr, Tony, Matthew and Ben, as well as four grandchildren called Noah, Jessica, Amie and Leo. Speaking to the ECHO, George Jnr, 46, who is from Warrington, spoke of his pride at his dad’s achievement in sport.
George Jnr said: “I don’t remember anything about his actual career but obviously the trophies were always about and he was always talking about his career.
George Gilboy with Merseyside boxer Nick MacDonald in 2015(Image: Colin Lane)
“When we were youngsters, he was always going to shows and he kept involved with the amateur scene on a regular basis for many years. We all always felt a sense of pride because it was quite clear that he had an outstanding career.
“People in the local area would recognise the name and say, you must be George Gilbody’s son. The number of times that was said to me as a youngster was quite phenomenal.”
His dad had a well-rounded life outside of the ring too. George Jnr said: “He took us on many camping holidays. He was a great hands-on dad.
“After his boxing career, he was managing leisure centres in Salford. In the summer holidays, he would take us with him to work. We’d spend lots of days at the leisure centre playing in the squash courts and playing on the sports fields.
Ernie Lawrence raises the arm of George Gilbody after victory over Tony Willis at Liverpool Stadium, year unknown(Image: Liverpoo ECHO)
“He was a very lovable character. He would chat to anyone, anytime, anywhere he was. He was very generous with his time.”
After his retirement from that job, George kept active in boxing. This involved managing England schoolboy teams and working as a personal trainer for people all over Warrington.
Speaking of the loss of his dad, George Jnr said it was a massive shock to the family and his loved ones.
He said: “He was only 70, which was no age. It was a massive shock for many people, as you’ll have seen with the tributes that have been paid to him already.”
George’s funeral will be held later this month(Image: Supplied)
An open service for George will be held on Monday November 24 at 12.30pm at All Saints Church in Daresbury, followed by a private service at Walton Crematorium in Warrington.
George Jnr said: “We’re expecting it to be a lovely send-off. There’s four of us brothers that are working hard now trying to make sure it’s as fitting as it possibly can be. We realise there’s gonna be a lot of people traveling from all over the country to that service.
“We’d like him to be remembered for his amazing achievements in the sport, but also as just a kind, lovable character.”