Care home resident, who lived with Jimi Hendrix and managed Cat Stevens, marries at 80

A care home resident, who once lived with Jimi Hendrix and managed Cat Stevens, has got married at the age of 80.

Gerald Horgan married his long-term partner, Pauline, at Candlewood House Care Home in Cricklewood, north London.

On being asked how he wanted to celebrate his 80th birthday, Gerald told care home staff he had only one wish and that was to marry Pauline.

He thanked the care home for organising the wedding, saying: “I am a very happy man! I have always wanted to get married and to make my lifelong dream come true on my 80th birthday, well, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate. Thank you to the team at the home for everything!”

Gerald lived with Jimi Hendrix when he was very young and it was Jimi Hendrix who introduced him to Cat Stevens when he was 15 years old.

Gerald is still close friends with Cat Stevens, also known as Yusuf Islam, who he managed, with the musician even recently paying for his daughter to go to Australia. Mr Horgan called his friend a “very generous and lovely man”.

He added: “Cat Stevens and I are still close friends, we still see each other, and he comes to visit me at Candlewood House. He was very impressed with the home and compared it to many of the 5-star hotels he has been to in his life. We have shared plenty of memories together including going abroad and visiting multiple countries.”

As well as managing Cat Stevens, Mr Horgan helped to promote other bands and also drove The Who, Rolling Stones, AC-DC and Queen to various concert venues. Gerald and Pauline were joined by their closest friends, family and fellow residents and team members at Candlewood House, who witnessed the happy couple tie the knot.

Pauline said: “I am so happy that the home has supported me and Gerry to get married as we never thought it could have done knowing what Gerry was going through due to his medical condition.”

Subin Puthan Veettil, manager at Candlewood House, run by TLC Care, said “It was a truly magical day to see Gerald marry his long-term partner, Pauline and I am delighted our team members helped to make it all possible! Gerry was admitted to Candlewood House on end-of-life pathway. After doing all the necessary risk assessments we prepared the venue in the home and supported Gerald and Pauline to invite their friends and family.”

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