Horsham postmen in touching tribute to much-loved colleague

Postmen in Horsham have paid a touching tribute to a much-loved colleague who died of cancer.
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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.

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John lived in Horsham for most of his life and was well known through his work for Royal Mail.

Postmen lined up in their vans in a tribute to their colleague John Brooksbank SUS-200422-115556001Postmen lined up in their vans in a tribute to their colleague John Brooksbank SUS-200422-115556001
Postmen lined up in their vans in a tribute to their colleague John Brooksbank SUS-200422-115556001

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.

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“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.

John Brooksbank SUS-200422-115416001John Brooksbank SUS-200422-115416001
John Brooksbank SUS-200422-115416001

“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.

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“It shows that, even in these very difficult times, all that’s needed is ingenuity and a willingness to ask what can be done.”

The funeral of Horsham postman John Brooksbank SUS-200422-115736001The funeral of Horsham postman John Brooksbank SUS-200422-115736001
The funeral of Horsham postman John Brooksbank SUS-200422-115736001

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).

They have set up a justgiving page, saying: “Just after the coronavirus lockdown we lost a member of our Royal Mail family.

“John sadly lost his fight with secondary brain cancer.

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“Since the lockdown we have been unbelievably busy and have had no time to pay our respects to John and his family.

“We have decided to do our deliveries in fancy dress to raise money for st Catherine’s Hospice who looked after John and his family, and for which we are very grateful.

“Saturday the 25th of April we hope to bring smiles to faces in remembrance of John.

“Please help us raise some much needed money for this amazing hospice.

“Thank you everyone and stay safe.”

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See https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/horshamdeliveryofficeA message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

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