Tributes to postie John
Postmen in Horsham turned out in a touching tribute to their muchloved colleague John Brooksbank who died of cancer.
Postmen in Horsham have paid a touching tribute to a much-loved colleague who died of cancer.
John Brooksbank had worked as a postman in Horsham for 33 years and his colleagues turned out in force for his funeral yesterday (Tuesday).
But, because of the current coronavirus pandemic, the posties had to keep their distance - and did so in style by forming a cortege of postal delivery vans.
John lived in Horsham for most of his life and was well known through his work for Royal Mail.
His son-in-law Peter Reeve said: “He was well known by many locals in The Bear and The Coot pubs and across the district from the various post routes he held over the years.”
In his younger years John, stepfather to Peter’s wife Cherie, was an artist and was a keen fisherman and avid reader and fan of music.
Peter said that John’s colleagues had given him “the send off he deserved.
With 14 post vans escorting the coffin from Freeman Brothers to Crawley Crematorium.
“The family would like to thank all the posties in Horsham for their care and support throughout John’s illness and for coming to honour him in such a beautiful way.
“He would have loved to see all the post vans lined up in the sun like that.”
Becky Hughes, of Horsham funeral directors Freeman Brothers, added: “Obviously this gentleman’s colleagues would have attended his funeral under different circumstances.
“However, we were very happy to facilitate this unique and memorable display of remembrance for him.
“It shows that, even in these very difficult times, all that’s needed is ingenuity and a willingness to ask what can be done.”
As well as Cherie and Peter, John leaves his wife Fiona Brooksbank, brother Richard and mother Stella.
Meanwhile, John’s colleagues are now planning to raise money for St Catherine’s Hospice in John’s memory by donning fancy dress to deliver the mail in Horsham on Saturday (April 25).
For more sdetails visit www.justgiving. com/fundraising/ horshamdeliveryoffice