Seve Ballesteros dies at the age of 54 due to cancer, the Spaniards funeral held at his hometown
Mourners have gathered in Seve Ballesteros’ hometown to pay their final respect to the player. Fighting cancer for some time, Ballesteros passed away at his home on May 7th.
According to reports, the funeral was attended by close relatives of the 54-year-old Spaniard and a huge number of fans, accompanied by Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Sam Torrance and Jose Maria Olazabal.
A five-minute silence was observed in the whole village in memory of the player. During the ceremony, Olazabal, a close friend of the deceased, hugged Miguel Angel Jimenez and broke into tears.
When asked to say a few words about him, Olazabal apologised and left the spot in tears. He said that he had nothing to offer as he had lost a dear one.
In addition to him, the Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, offered state recognition to the player.
Zapatero said, “Severiano represented a beginning and an end in the history of Spanish sport. His example paved the way for the extraordinary success our sport is currently enjoying. He was the mirror, which Spanish athletes who have reached the pinnacle
of world sport looked into. Severiano was loved and respected for his great charisma and strength, which he showed until the very end of his life”.
The ceremony took place in a village with 1500 habitants. The entrance road to the village has a huge banner that says, “Thank You, Seve.”
Fifty journalists surrounded the entrance of the church to cover the moments of the ceremony, where the player was cremated and buried under a magnolia tree in his garden.
In addition to that, three large televisions were placed inside the church, showing the last rituals of the five-time major winner.
Ballesteros was laid to rest according to his desires. The 50-time European tour winner requested his family during his last moments on Saturday morning that his ashes should be dispersed in the entire garden.
The five-time major’s winner underwent four critical surgeries to treat his brain tumour prior to his death.
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