HUNDREDS of people turned out to say farewell to a treasured Ipswich doctor.Steve Lazar's patients, colleagues and students stood outside Ipswich Crematorium's west chapel yesterday as it overflowed with people who wanted to pay their respects to the former Ipswich Town club doctor.

HUNDREDS of people turned out to say farewell to a treasured Ipswich doctor.

Steve Lazar's patients, colleagues and students stood outside Ipswich Crematorium's west chapel yesterday as it overflowed with people who wanted to pay their respects to the former Ipswich Town club doctor.

His mother-in-law, Phyllis Crook, said: “It was more of a celebration of his life. It was a really nice service.

“The chapel holds about 80 people and it was full. There were crowds outside too. I think there must have been around 200 to 300 people.

“There were so many people we had a bit of a job to get out and in.”

The service started with Rod Stewart's song, 'Long ago and far away', and ended with the tracks 'Friends will be friends' and 'Who wants to live forever' from Queen, one of Dr Lazar's favourite bands.

During the service Dr Lazar's widow, Sue, 59, gave a speech, followed by each of his children, Sian, Sam, Sophie, Seth and Sebastian, who spoke about their father.

There were also readings from Captain Correlli's Mandolin and a David Harkins' poem.

South African-born Dr Lazar died unexpectedly on August 12 after complications following a heart operation at Papworth Hospital, near Cambridge.

The 59-year-old who was Ipswich Town's club doctor until last season had also been senior partner at the surgery in Deben Road, Ipswich, and had taken part in various other activities such as running with the Ipswich Jaffa Jogging Club, swimming, golf and ballroom dancing.

Would you like to pay a tribute to Dr Lazar? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.