Boss drives fencer's coffin to funeral on back of work van (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Boss drives fencer's coffin to funeral on back of work van

9:30am Sunday 24th January 2010 in News By Leanne Fender

Fencer David Jessup’s dying wish was to be carried to his funeral on the back of a lorry driven by his boss.

And that was exactly what happened at the funeral procession of Mr Jessup – who died aged 61 after working as a fencer in Sutton for 35 years.

Phil Blake, owner of the Crescent Fencing Company drove a company lorry to take Mr Jessup’s body from his daughter Felicity Sadler’s house in Morden to the service at North East Surrey Crematorium in Garth Road.

Mr Jessup died on January 7 after a battle with lung cancer. During his life he enjoyed fishing, horses, darts and snooker.

Mr Blake said: “Dave was the salt of the earth, always ready to help out a mate and will be sorely missed by his many friends.”

Mr Blake’s son David, who worked alongside Mr Jessup, said: “David was an expert fencer and worked until he was too ill to carry on.

“He had what we call a fencer’s funeral.”