As Kiwis mourn "Westie" comedian Ewen Gilmour, his family are taking comfort that he's now at rest with his beloved late wife, Cathy.
Gilmour died unexpectedly at home last night, age 51.
In a statement this afternoon, Gilmour's family said he had had so much more to live for at such a great stage in his life.
"He brought smiles and laughter wherever he went and to everyone he met.
"Ewen was a much loved and cherished member of our family, he was a larger than life character and by his very nature was kind, generous and always giving of his time to those who asked for his help."
"The one comforting thought is that he is now at rest with his beloved late wife, Cathy."
Cathy died of cancer at the age of 36 in 2011. Gilmour quit as a Waitakere City councillor in August 2007 to care for her.
Gilmour's death will be a huge blow to the New Zealand comedy scene with many comedians saying it was all too fresh to talk about today.
Those working at the Classic Comedy Network were reportedly in a "bad state" today after the death and trying to pull themselves together at the news.
His agent, Hillary Coe, confirmed his death.
"He passed away at home. It was very unexpected as he had not been unwell but it was natural, he passed away in his sleep."
"He was phenomenal to work with. He was fantastic. A true joy, both on and off stage. One of the nicest men I have known."
A spokeswoman for Counties Manukau Police said officers were called to his Port Waikato home at 6.15am. The death appeared to be from natural causes, was not suspicious, and had been referred to the coroner.
MediaWorks have confirmed that last night Gilmour was filming in their Auckland studios for a TV3 comedy special, which doesn't yet have a screening date.
John McDonald, Head of Local Production at MediaWorks TV, who had worked with Ewen many times said he was "mischievous, intelligent and warm-hearted".
"He set the standard for many of our young comedians to aspire to, with a knack for telling a wonderful, crazy, circular story that had fantastic gags all the way round. He'll be hugely missed."
Gilmour had a unique brand - a westie boasting a wild mane of hair sitting perched on his beloved Harley Davidson - he was a poster boy for bogan culture. Though he was a true west Aucklander at heart, he had lived in Port Waikato since 2006.
Residents there said they thought of him as much more than a famous comedian, he was generous, involved and always willing to give a helping hand.
He always had the interests of the Port at heart, according to resident Glennis Paton.
"He was popular with people, he has a friendly manner and he is so much fun. There is just huge shock here because he was so young and so active."
His commitment to the community impressed Sunset Beach Lifeguard Service president Malcolm Beattie.
"He did things behind the scenes for people that a lot of people would not have seen," he said.
"He was one of those guys who did a hell of a lot for other people like when clubs were trying to raise money for a competition, he would run a night for them and he would not take any fees. He comes across as a wild Westie whose every second word is a swear word... but there are a couple of sides to Ewen Gilmour; he is a comedian but also a guy who cares about other people."
Last year Gilmour spoke to Fairfax, saying he was ready to have children with someone he loved after his wife's tragic death. He and Cathy had tried to have children but had been unsuccessful.
Friend and broadcaster Simon Dallow said Gilmour loved the children's charity Variety.
"A true petrolhead who loved children, he became the heart and soul of 'The Bash', admired and loved for his warm personality and tireless fundraising efforts."
Gilmour would take on a comic persona dressing as an overage mutant ninja turtle. "A day on the Bash often ended with a bucket-shake along the streets of the town we'd be overnighting in, and Ewen was always the last to give up. Many times, he wouldn't make it to dinner, because he'd missed the last vehicle."
Dallow said simply that everyone loved his westie brother, and that he was genuine and generous.
"During the day he'd bring smiles to the kids, then at night he ramp up the x-factor...and the x-rating...and put on a show for the 'Bashers'. They were his second family. Right now, they are hurting too."
Comedian Tim Batt said Gilmour would be intensely missed. "He was a really masterful storyteller. He had the kind of storytelling ability you can only achieve from years on stage. Kept the room hanging on every word every time I saw him perform."
Fellow comedian Mike King this morning tweeted: "Just heard Ewen Gilmour passed away. I still remember our first gig together in 1994 man was too funny. Gone to soon rest easy brother."
Gilmour won numerous New Zealand comedy awards, and was a frequent presence on television, in series including Pulp Comedy, and Dancing with the Stars. He was the host of TV3's show Road Madness.
Fellow comedian Tim Batt said he would be intensely missed.
"He was a really masterful storyteller. He had the kind of storytelling ability you can only achieve from years on stage. Kept the room hanging on every word every time I saw him perform."
The two last saw each other six weeks ago when they were on a bill for a school fundraiser.
"It was way out of town and he gave me a lift home in his ridiculous stretched eight-seater Ford Falcon. He said he had to pop in to grab his dog from his mum's house.
"Ewen apologised in advance about the energetic wee guy when he jumped in, he said the dog jumped around everywhere and loved riding in the car: 'I Never trained him or anything cause I just wanted him to be happy'."
"I could tell from that one trip that it was the happiest, most loved dog ever."
Acting Auckland Mayor Penny Hulse said she was deeply shocked and saddened. She was Deputy Mayor of the former Waitakere City Council while Gilmour was a councillor.
"Ewen was a great councillor and colleague and it's just so hard to believe that someone who spent his life making people laugh is now silent, although his brilliance, charm and wit will live on in our memories," Hulse said.
"Ewen was often entertaining in the council chamber but he was also incredibly committed to and caring of the communities he served, which brought out his serious side.
"He was funny and clever and will be sorely missed. The only consolation I can find is that he is reunited with his beloved wife Catherine who died in 2011."
A GENEROUS 'BOGAN'
Gilmour, with his trademark mane of hair, West Auckland roots and beloved Harley Davidson, was a poster boy for the bogan culture, best characterised by a love of heavy metal music and the aforementioned traits.
Hamilton's Dr Dave Snell, who wrote his thesis on bogan culture, said Gilmour was intending to be part of an upcoming movie he is producing about two bogan heroes.
Filming for the extended trailer of the movie, Sort of Famous, is due to start next month. Gilmour had offered to narrate the trailer at no cost.
"We didn't have any budget to pay him," Snell said. "He had offered to be in it for free which kind of shows the generosity of the guy."
Businessman and philanthropist Sir Peter Leitch, also known as the Mad Butcher, said his close friend Gilmour "was just a wonderful person".
"One of nature's gentlemen. He used to help out at the Mad Butcher's Suburban Newspaper Trust at the drop of a hat. He wouldn't ask for money, money wasn't a thing he would even think about. He'd do so much for charity. I'm actually blown away.
"We've lost a truly fine New Zealander. I am personally gutted. He was a genuinely wonderful person."
Gilmour has been described as a comedian treasure by friends and workmates. He received the inaugural Decade Achievement Award at the 2010 NZ Comedy Guild Awards.
Gilmour started out in comedy in 1995 and performed on television and the live comedy scene.
In 1997 he won the Billy T Award and has since graced screens through shows like Dancing With The Stars, Celebrity Treasure Island and Intrepid Journeys Peru. He was also a regular at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and appeared as a panellist on the TV show 7 Days.
A WONDERFUL WESTIE
Former Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey, a close friend of Gilmour's, said Gilmour was a "great piss taker" who made council meetings more enjoyable.
"He could take the piss out of any situation and defuse anger or deal with people that were up themselves. He was perfect as a councillor when people got angry about rates or uneccessary things but he was always serious about things that matter."
Gilmour had a particular gift talking with young people about the importance of law and justice, Harvey said.
"That was the role he had to be the bridge between the courts, youth and the law.
"He did it extraordinarily well at a time in his life that was really difficult because his wife was diagnosed with a brain tumour."
He was a man that lived life to the fullest, Harvey said.
"I can't say enough good things about that funny, wonderful, wacky Westie.
"We will remember him with terrific affection."
Source: Stuff.co.nz
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