Horsham taxi drivers pay special funeral tribute to ‘heart of gold’ colleague

Taxi drivers in Horsham turned out in force this week to pay a special tribute to a much-loved colleague.
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Domingo Mancini - known as Mick - had worked as an independent taxi driver in the town for around 45 years.

Dozens of his colleagues wanted to pay their respects at his funeral on Monday - but could not attend because of restrictions imposed by the current coronavirus pandemic.

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Instead, Mick’s colleagues formed a funeral cortege with their taxis and followed the route from Mick’s Horsham home to the Surrey and Sussex Crematorium.

Funeral of Mick Mancini, veteran taxi driver of 45 years. Pic Steve Robards SR2005041 SUS-200505-094724001Funeral of Mick Mancini, veteran taxi driver of 45 years. Pic Steve Robards SR2005041 SUS-200505-094724001
Funeral of Mick Mancini, veteran taxi driver of 45 years. Pic Steve Robards SR2005041 SUS-200505-094724001

Bryan Hoare, of ABC taxis, had known Mick since the early 1990s. “He was a man with a heart of gold and would help anyone,” he said.

Taxi driver Vivian Potter said she remembered Mick as a youthful 18-year-old who always stopped and talked to her as he passed.

And fellow driver Joan Carmichael remembered him from his early taxi days of Horsham Taxis when they where trading from Crawley Road.

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Bryan added: “Mick was a regular of the Station rank, and could always be found there, smiling and happy to just work the town and local area.

Funeral of Mick Mancini, veteran taxi driver of 45 years. Photo: Steve Robards SR2005041 SUS-200505-094713001Funeral of Mick Mancini, veteran taxi driver of 45 years. Photo: Steve Robards SR2005041 SUS-200505-094713001
Funeral of Mick Mancini, veteran taxi driver of 45 years. Photo: Steve Robards SR2005041 SUS-200505-094713001

“I always remember him for diving into the boot of his taxi were he had a ready supply of flasks full with hot tea.”

He added: “He will be missed by all the taxi drivers and I’m sure all the customers who came to know him over many years, a man with a heart of gold and would help anyone.”

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