The service was officiated by Bishop of Sheffield Pete Wilcox. It occurred nearly two months after Virgo passed away in February at his home in Mijas Costa, Spain, though the exact date of the memorial has not been disclosed. Musical elements featured a choir performing hymns and songs, including a version of the Beatles' 'Here Comes the Sun'.
Other selections included 'There Is a Higher Throne' by Keith Getty, 'Remember Me' by Bob Chilcott, and 'Morning Has Broken', though the specific hymns sung by the choir were not detailed. Attendees included legendary snooker players Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Dennis Taylor, John Parrott, and Ken Doherty. Virgo's family was also present, with his widow Rosie Ries and his grown-up children Gary and Brook-Leah in attendance.
We're going to miss him dearly. A great commentator but a good friend to us all, he made you feel very special. We all thought we were friends with John because he had a great heart and he was funny, sometimes cantankerous but we loved him for that. All in all, he was part of snooker's furniture, he was part of snooker's history and a wonderful commentator. He got the best out of every match.
The total number of people at the service has not been confirmed. From the altar, Dennis Taylor, Stephen Hendry, John Parrott, and Ken Doherty spoke about Virgo. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Dennis Taylor described how it would not be the same without him.
According to Daily Mirror - Main, John Parrott described Virgo as irreplaceable, always the ultimate professional, and said he would miss him like mad, adding thanks for 40 years of friendship that made snooker better. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Ken Doherty described Virgo as leaving an indelible mark on snooker, being the life and soul of their group, and someone he loved dearly like a big brother or father. The specific details of Stephen Hendry's speech were not provided.
In the great commentary box in the sky with his good friend Willie Thorne, who we lost a few years ago.
John Virgo's son Gary delivered an emotional and amusing eulogy to his father, standing in front of a huge black and white photo of his father at the front of the altar. According to Daily Mirror - Main, Steve Davis described Virgo as someone they would miss dearly, a great commentator and good friend who made everyone feel special, with a great heart and humor that made him part of snooker's history. The cause of John Virgo's death remains unknown.
Irreplaceable.
Always the ultimate pro.
I'm gonna miss him like mad.
Is there a gap… there is now my friend.
Thanks for 40 years of friendship, camaraderie and for making our wonderful sport just that bit better. Goodnight JV.
Left an indelible mark on the sport of snooker.
Was the life and soul of our group.
I loved him dearly. He was like a big brother, almost like a father to me.
It's not going to be the same.