Colleagues drive in tribute parade
A procession of taxis turned out to mark the death of a well- known Northampton Hackney cab driver who died after a battle with cancer.
The funeral for David Brown, who had been described by his wife as "a cab driver through and through" and a "gentle giant", took place at The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Sheep Street, in Northampton, yesterday.
To mark the passing of Mr Brown - who held a Hackney carriage badge for around 29 years and worked as a private hire driver previous to that - around 30 cab drivers drove in procession from his former home in Delapre to the town centre church.
After the service, the cabbies drove back to the taxi rank where they held a 30-second mark of respect.
Mr Brown, who had lived in Northampton for his entire life, died aged 60 on July 31, after contracting stomach cancer.
Priscilla Brown, his wife of 31 years, paid tribute to the father-of-four and grandfather to five. She said: "I think people will always remember him being on the rank.
"He was a cab driver through and through and was a gentle giant.
"He worked there in the winter and the summer, whatever the weather.
"He was a family man but he was also a very hard worker and was dedicated to his job.
"He was a true Northamptonian and loved the town. His main interest was his cab, he loved his cab."
When asked if he would be honoured to see so many cabs turning out in his honour, with many adorning black ribbons for the occasion, Mrs Brown said: "He would have been in his absolute element.
His brother Trevor Brown, aged 45, from St James, Northampton, who is also a Hackney cab driver in Northampton, said: "He was an old Northamptonian and a big character.
"He knew Northampton upside down and inside out and will definitely be missed at the rank."
Paul Eichmann, aged 57, who has been a Hackney cab driver in Northampton for 16 years, said: "It is a real honour to have a Hackney carriage procession and there is a long tradition of people paying their respect in this way."
Mr Brown was buried in Towcester Road Cemetery in Northampton.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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