Colleagues line route at taxi driver’s funeral
IT WAS a fitting farewell to popular Belfast man Brian Braiden yesterday as his taxi driver colleagues lined the route through Roselawn Cemetery towards his final destination.
Hundreds or family, friends and work colleagues attended to pay their respects for the father of four, who died as the result of a freak accident on the Antrim Road on November 26.
Mr Braiden, who celebrated his 50th birthday a few weeks ago, had been assisting an elderly lady after picking her up on a typical airport run, when his vehicle rolled down a steep hill towards him as he closed her gate.
A private service in the fam-
ily home at Sackville Court was followed by a service in Roselawn Crematorium, where two of his sons, Leith and Ross, told mourners: “He believed in us, protected us, shared with us, strengthened us and we know he really loved us unconditionally.
“There aren’t enough words to describe the influence he will always have on our lives.
“The most important thing to him was being a dedicated family man. To our family, he wasn’t just a father and grandfather and uncle. He was a soul mate, a best friend.
“His role in life was to make his family’s life the best he could.”
The service was conducted by Pastor Jonathan Clarke from the Welcome Church, Woodvale, and he paid tribute to the Brian he knew as a real family man.
“Brian grew up in the Woodvale area, then moved to Glencairn, where I knew him at school,” he said.
“I always enjoyed banter with him, always about football. He was a Linfield man and I was Crusaders. It was always good craic with Brian.
“He worked as a taxi driver for nearly 20 years and it was a job he loved, a job he was cut out for.
“He was also with his wife, Carol, during those 20 years and they were so happy together. He enjoyed going on walks with Carol and spending every minute he could with his family, a man who loved his family and a man whose family loved him.”
Brian is survived by wife Carol, children Johnine, Tammie, Ross and Leith, grandson Braiden and mother Jean.