A HORSE and carriage funeral procession made its way through the streets of Oxford yesterday as a great grandfather made his final journey.

The cortège was the final wish of Blackbird Leys resident John Roberts, a father-of-three, grandfather of 10 and great-grandfather of 13.

Mr Roberts was thought to be the second resident on Blackbird Leys Road when the estate was built in the 1950s and lived there until he died, aged 87, on January 7.

His family said he helped to build the Woolworth’s store in Cornmarket Street, which took the place of the Old Clarendon Hotel, and later worked at Pressed Steel in Cowley.

A Romany traveller from Surrey by birth, he said in his will he wanted a horse and carriage procession for his funeral in tribute to his heritage.

Mr Roberts’ daughter Tracy O’Mally, who lives in Oxford, said: “He was a wonderful man, a one-of-a-kind.

“He would give away his last penny, and if a stranger knocked on his door he would welcome them in.”

She said he had acquired his nickname Punch as a young man.

His funeral was held at The Church of the Holy Family, Blackbird Leys Road.

The procession left the church at 11.30am, travelling up Blackbird Leys Road into the city, then up Hollow Way to The Slade.

It then carried on through Headington on London Road to Oxford Crematorium at Barton.

Mrs O’Mally said it had been no trouble organising the horse and carriage procession through S & R Childs Funeral Services, of Cowley.

She added: “It’s what he wanted because he was a Romany traveller.”

“I just phoned up the funeral directors and said that is what I wanted and they took care of it.”

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