Posties turn out in force to honour dead colleague

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A "hugely popular" and "well-loved" city postman has been remembered by friends, family and colleagues.

More than 40 postal workers from across Bath went to great lengths to ensure they could attend the funeral of Richard Fox – arriving at the service in full uniform to honour the 32-year-old.

Mr Fox, who lived in Oldfield Park, had been a postman in the city for seven years and died earlier this month after losing his battle with bowel cancer, less than a year after being diagnosed.

His brother Chris, who led the service at Haycombe Crematorium, said Mr Fox had "touched so many lives with his warmth and generosity of spirit".

He said at the service: "Richard was a quiet man who didn't want to make a fuss about anything and I think he would be both surprised and thrilled at the number of people here to mourn his passing and celebrate his life."

He added: "We all have treasured memories of how he touched our lives and how he set an example for each of us to reach out in kindness and without expectation for recognition or reward."

His mother Gill Rogers said the number of people who attended the funeral bore testament to her son's character.

She said: "It was amazing to see so many posties turn up and some had got up in the night to sort so they could attend, and had gone to extreme lengths to get there.

"It was a very happy and positive service and there were lots of lovely stories read out about him that I never knew."

Mr Fox was born in High Wycombe, but he lived in Bath most of his life, attending Bathford Primary and Ralph Allen schools and living in Weston, Combe Down and finally Oldfield Park.

When he left school he trained as a warehouseman with car dealer Hartwells but in the last seven years he worked as a postman, covering sickness and holidays on various different rounds across the city.

The single man, who spent his final eight months living with his mother in Peasedown St John, died in Dorothy House.

On Sunday one of his good friends, Paul Carey, ran the Bath Half Marathon in his name with all his sponsorship money going to the hospice.

Mr Fox's brother Chris said in his eulogy that he would be sorely missed.

He said: "Richard was well-loved by his family, hugely popular at work, and thoroughly enjoyed living on his own.

"He had some truly inspiring qualities – he was irritatingly polite, endlessly supportive and was always at pains never to be any trouble to anybody.

"He refused to be spoilt. He was the most conscientious person I have ever met. And he was braver in the face of his defeat than I could have imagined possible.

"In many ways, I will remember Richard as being a very complex man living a very simple life. And he will be sorely missed."

[Lounge Lizard]

"More than 40 postal workers from across Bath .... arriving at the service in full uniform to honour the 32-year-old." - not the smartest or best dressed attendees at a funeral but the thought was there.