Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Australian rock legend Gary “Angry” Anderson has been farewelled by family, friends and fellow musicians at a private memorial service in Sydney.
The Rose Tattoo frontman was laid to rest at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Friday, October 9, with members of his Veterans MC motorcycle club also gathering to pay their respects.
Australian cartoonist and longtime friend Paul Zanetti shared details of the ceremony in a lengthy Facebook post, describing an emotional farewell.
“There wasn’t a dry eye among the gathering of defence veterans, bikers, musicians, industry colleagues, family and friends,” Zanetti wrote.
He said the service reflected on the man behind Anderson’s “larger-than-life” public persona, remembering him as someone whose toughness was matched by kindness and generosity.
“Angry led a larger-than-life life. The day’s recurring theme was the extraordinary man behind the public persona: tough but kind, generous, empathetic, talented, brilliant, funny, silly, serious, self-educated and wise,” he wrote.
“A man unafraid to admit if he didn’t know something, he set about learning it.
“A man on a lifelong journey of self-improvement, always looking for ways to help others along the way.
“Angry had a remarkable ability to connect with people. Whether you were famous or unknown, wealthy or struggling, young or old, if you had a cause, a problem or something you believed in, Angry would give you his time.
“His generosity of spirit made him special.”
Anderson’s children, Roxy and Galen, delivered a heartfelt speech during the service to farewell their father.
Fellow Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes also paid tribute to Anderson, sharing a photograph of the memorial service invitation on Instagram.
“We sent off Angry today. Lovely words from his children. He’ll be sadly missed,” Barnes wrote.
Following the ceremony, Anderson’s Rose Tattoo bandmates placed a band flag over his coffin before carrying him to the hearse.
“It was a fitting farewell for a man who spent his life surrounded by music, mateship, motorcycles, causes and people he cared deeply about,” Zanetti wrote.
He said the procession to Anderson’s final resting place was led by the “thunderous roar of dozens of Veterans MC motorcycles, giving their brother one final escort”.
Anderson passed away on September 21, just weeks after suffering a cardiac arrest while on the band’s final European tour.
“It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Gary “Angry” Anderson on the eve of Monday, 21 September 2026, surrounded by his loved ones here in Australia,” a joint statement from his family and band read at the time.
“Angry was a devoted father, and much-loved member of his friends, bandmates and the wider music and entertainment community. His loss will be deeply felt by all those who knew and loved him both here in Australia and overseas.
“The family and band members are asking for privacy at this difficult time and will not be giving interviews.
“We kindly ask that their wishes are respected as they come to terms with this devastating loss and take time they need to grieve.“
