ALMOST a thousand people came to pay their respects to Calvin Rodgers, a much-loved pastoral leader at Oasis Academy Mayfield. 

Loved ones gathered for celebration of his life at Central Hall in St Mary’s Street in the afternoon.

Photos released with the permission of the family show hundreds of people coming together to attend the event.

Calvin leaves behind his wife, Claire, and two daughters, 15-year-old Tyra and 11-year-old Freya. 

Claire spoke in the eulogy about her memories of her husband and his daughters performed musical and dance tributes. 

The service was led by Leader at the New Community Church, Billy Kennedy. He said: “Calvin will be deeply missed by many people. He had a great influence so on many people’s lives, that he may not have even been aware of. 

“The breadth of love that he demonstrated for so many others, both within the church community and the wider school community has been evident today.” 

The principal at the Oasis Academy Mayfield, Phil Humphreys and the schools Chaplain Paul Woodman also gave spoken tributes to Mr Rodgers.

Other musical performances included Calvin’s daughter Tyra, who performed a song called Dancing in the sky and Clayd Roach wrote a rap and performed it at the service. 

One of the New community members, Mike Martin and a close friend of Calvin’s, performed a song he wrote Keep Me Here – a song Calvin loved. 

The new community musical team, sang some of Calvin’s favourite songs of worship including Corner stone, Here I am to worship and Light Up the World. 

The service lasted around an hour and people then spent the next half an hour saying farewell to Mr Rodgers.

“Calvin a man on journey to learn to love and be loved. That was clear from those who turned up today. His work at the Oasis Academy was more than just a job to him. That was clear from his family and students who turned up today,” said Mr Kennedy. 

Around 300 people then attended the burial where Claire, Tyra and Frya threw in a rose then the fellow mourner put some soil on top of the coffin.

As previously reported there will be a memorial service this evening at 3.30pm outside the Oasis Academy Mayfield. 

Billy has created a fundraising website for the family, to donate visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Claire-Tyra-Freya.